Opinion ID: 2613197
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: supervisory authority of the attorney general

Text: Here, that mandate was clearly recognized by the Attorney General. In Montana, the attorney general has statutory authority to supervise and direct county attorneys in all matters pertaining to the duties of their office. Section 2-15-501, MCA, provides, in pertinent part: It is the duty of the attorney general: ... (4) to exercise supervisory powers over county attorneys in all matters pertaining to the duties of their offices and from time to time require of them reports as to the condition of public business entrusted to their charge. The supervisory powers granted to the attorney general by this subsection include the power to order and direct county attorneys in all matters pertaining to the duties of their office. The county attorney shall, when ordered or directed by the attorney general, promptly institute and diligently prosecute in the proper court and in the name of the state of Montana any criminal or civil action or special proceeding. Under § 2-15-501(4), MCA, the Attorney General was well within his authority to review the cases against the Petitioners and to direct the Lincoln County Attorney not to use the Tilton evidence. Similarly, the Attorney General was well within his authority to then conclude that there was insufficient, untainted evidence on which to continue prosecution of these cases and to direct the Lincoln County Attorney to file motions to dismiss the charges against the Petitioners.