Executive Branch
Carries out and enforces state law. Led by the Governor, it includes the statewide elected offices, the principal departments, and the public safety and licensing agencies that handle the day-to-day work of state government.
Governor
The state's chief executive, elected statewide to a four-year term. Signs or vetoes legislation, appoints department heads and judges to fill vacancies, prepares the annual budget proposal, and commands the National Guard.
Lt. Governor
Elected on the same ticket as the Governor. Steps in as acting Governor when needed, and typically leads special initiatives assigned by the Governor.
Attorney General
The state's chief legal officer. Represents Michigan in litigation, issues formal legal opinions to state agencies, and oversees the bureaus responsible for major criminal investigations and correctional legal matters.
Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Investigates complex and multi-jurisdictional crimes on behalf of the Attorney General's office, working alongside county prosecutors and local police.
Investigates homicides, violent crime, and organized criminal activity that cross county lines or require statewide coordination.
Handles financial crime, fraud, and cyber-enabled offenses, including cases involving state contracts and benefit programs.
Investigates corruption, bribery, and misconduct allegations involving public officials and government employees.
Provides legal review and administrative oversight on matters involving the state's correctional system, including parole eligibility disputes and inmate litigation, in coordination with the Department of Corrections.
Secretary of State
Serves as Michigan's chief elections officer and record-keeper. Oversees driver and vehicle records, professional and business licensing, and the administration of state elections.
Bureau of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Issues and regulates the licenses that let people drive, practice a profession, and operate a business in the state.
Licenses and credentials professionals such as contractors, cosmetologists, and other regulated trades.
Issues driver's licenses and state ID cards and maintains driving records and history.
Registers businesses and issues occupational licenses required to legally operate in the state.
Investigates licensing violations and enforces compliance with state licensing requirements.
Administers state elections, maintains voter registration rolls, and oversees campaign finance disclosure requirements.
State Police
Michigan's statewide law enforcement agency, providing patrol, investigative, and specialized public safety services across the state.
Field Services Bureau
Oversees uniformed patrol, highway enforcement, and specialized tactical operations conducted in the field.
Troopers who patrol state highways and communities, respond to calls for service, and enforce traffic law.
Inspects commercial trucks and buses and enforces weight, safety, and hazardous-materials regulations.
Special Operations Division
Houses the department's specialized tactical and emergency-response teams, deployed for high-risk or unusual incidents.
A tactical response and crisis-negotiation team deployed for high-risk incidents such as barricaded suspects and hostage situations.
Operates helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft in support of search and rescue, pursuits, and aerial surveillance.
Handles explosive-ordnance disposal, suspicious-package response, and post-blast investigations.
Patrols the state's lakes and waterways, enforcing boating safety laws and assisting in water rescues.
Provides bicycle-mounted patrol for crowded events, campuses, and dense urban areas.
Investigations and Intelligence Division
Coordinates major criminal investigations and the sharing of intelligence across local, state, and federal law enforcement.
Investigates major crimes that require specialized expertise or coordination across multiple jurisdictions.
A fusion center that gathers, analyzes, and shares criminal and public-safety intelligence with partner agencies.
Administrative Services Bureau
Manages the internal operations of the department, including oversight of personnel conduct and the recruitment and training of new troopers.
Transparency and Accountability Division
Reviews internal conduct matters and provides legal support to the department.
Investigates complaints and allegations of misconduct involving department personnel.
Provides legal counsel and guidance to department leadership and personnel.
Recruitment and Training Division
Recruits new trooper candidates and oversees their training from the academy through field certification.
Recruits and screens candidates for trooper and civilian positions within the department.
Runs the training academy and ongoing certification programs for sworn personnel.
National Guard
The state's military force, under the command of the Governor. Responds to natural disasters and state emergencies and can also be called into federal service.
Headquarters
The central command overseeing all components of the Michigan National Guard.
The senior officer who commands the Michigan National Guard on behalf of the Governor.
Conducts inspections and investigations to ensure the Guard operates within regulation and policy.
A specialized unit trained for high-readiness missions beyond standard infantry operations.
Provides law enforcement, security, and force-protection support across both the Army and Air components of the Guard.
Army Guard
The land-based component of the Michigan National Guard.
An infantry unit trained for ground combat operations and state emergency response.
Air Guard
The aviation component of the Michigan National Guard.
A flying wing responsible for aircraft operations, air support, and related missions.
Manages state finances, including tax collection, the state budget, and management of public funds and investments.
Operates the state's prison system and oversees parole and probation supervision for people under state correctional supervision.
Plans, builds, and maintains the state's highways, roads, bridges, and public transit infrastructure.
Manages state parks, forests, and wildlife, and regulates hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation on state land.
Provides security and law enforcement services for the State Capitol complex and its visitors, staff, and elected officials.
Sets statewide training and certification standards that police officers must meet to serve in Michigan.
Legislative Branch
Writes and enacts state law.
The state's lawmaking body. Unlike most states, Michigan's Legislature is unicameral — a single chamber of elected representatives who draft, debate, and pass bills, and approve the state budget before it goes to the Governor.
Judicial Branch
Interprets state law and resolves legal disputes.
Michigan Judiciary
The state's court system. Michigan keeps this simple with just two levels of courts: District Courts, where cases are tried, and the Supreme Court, which hears appeals and has the final word on the law.
Supreme Court
The state's highest court, hearing appeals on the most significant legal and constitutional questions and setting precedent for all lower courts.
Maintains the Court's official records, filings, and case dockets.
Oversees courtroom security and operations for the Supreme Court.
Provides administrative support and oversight to trial courts throughout the state.
The professional association responsible for licensing attorneys and setting standards of conduct for the legal profession in the state.
Michigan's only trial-level court. Rather than splitting cases across separate civil, criminal, family, or traffic courts, the District Courts hear the full range of trials — civil disputes, criminal cases, family matters, probate, and traffic — before an appeal would go to the Supreme Court.