21-M:2 Establishment; General Functions. –
I. There is established the department of justice, an agency of the state, under the executive direction of the attorney general.
II. The department of justice, through its officials, shall have all the powers and duties enumerated by statute and implied from the common law and shall be responsible for the following general functions:
(a) Advising and representing the state and its executive branch agencies in all civil legal matters.
(b) Supervising and conducting criminal investigations and prosecutions.
(c) Enforcing the various consumer protection and antitrust laws of the state.
(d) Assisting and advising those agencies charged with protecting the environment and enforcing the environmental laws of the state.