The Criminal Division works to assure safe and healthy communities by prosecuting and convicting criminal offenders in urban and rural Alaska.
Richard Svobodny
Deputy Attorney General - Criminal Division
Criminal Division Central Office Anchorage
907-269-6379
Alaska Department of Law - Criminal Division
310 K Street, Suite 403
Anchorage, AK 99501-2064
Criminal Division Central Office Juneau
907-465-3428
Alaska Department of Law - Criminal Division
PO Box 110300
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0300
Prosecution
The division prosecutes violations of state criminal law committed by adults and a large portion of the serious crimes committed by juveniles. Prosecution services protect the public by convicting criminals and placing them under appropriate controls. Without the prosecution services of the Criminal Division, Alaskans would not be able to live in safe and healthy communities. The day-to-day prosecution services are carried out by thirteen regional district attorneys' offices.
Victim/Witness Assistance
The division provides assistance to victims and witnesses of crimes, including information about court procedures, domestic violence restraining orders, and violent crimes compensation procedures. Victim and witness services are provided through the district attorneys’ offices throughout the state.
Special Prosecutions and Appeals
Susan McLean
Chief Assistant Attorney General, Special Prosecutions
Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals
310 K Street, Suite 308
Anchorage, AK 99501-2064
907-269-6250
Appeals:
Douglas Kossler
Assistant Attorney General, Anchorage
The appellate unit in the Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals (OSPA) represents the state in all criminal appellate proceedings and state and federal post-conviction and habeas corpus proceedings. It also handles civil litigation challenging statutes related to criminal justice, for instance sex offender registration, victims' rights, and physician-assisted suicide.
Special Prosecutions:
vacant
Assistant Attorney General, Anchorage
The special prosecutions unit of OSPA focuses on environmental crime, child support enforcement, welfare fraud, Medicaid provider fraud, selected fish and game prosecutions, and white collar crime and other special prosecutions.
Cold Case Prosecution:
Pat Gullufsen
Assistant Attorney General, Juneau
The cold case unit of OSPA was established in 2006 to address the increasing number of old, unresolved homicide cases for which new evidence had been developed or discovered. The unit works closely with the Department of Public Safety’s cold case investigations team to bring closure to these cases where justice has been waiting to be served.
Rural Prosecutions:
Dwayne McConnell
Assistant Attorney General, Anchorage
The rural prosecution unit of OSPA enhances prosecution efforts in rural Alaska. The unit aids district attorney offices throughout the state when they are short staffed and there are an insufficient number of attorneys to handle the caseload, or when the office receives cases that are so complex that the local attorney(s) are unable to complete the necessary investigation and motion work without neglecting the normal operation of the office. The unit also assists in developing the skills of those less experienced prosecutors in rural offices who lack sufficient experience to handle complex or serious felony prosecutions.
Advice to Public Safety Agencies
The Criminal Division provides basic legal services to the Departments of Corrections and Public Safety. These services include providing verbal and written advice and representing the departments in civil litigation and administrative proceedings directly related to the functions of the departments. The division also assists the departments in drafting legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. Advice and litigation related to employment, contracts, and torts, however, is handled by the Civil Division of the Department of Law.
