Me. Rev. Stat. » Title 5
Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 5, § 200-A (2026)

Criminal division

✓ current as of May 2026
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The Attorney General is authorized to create a Criminal Division within the Department of the Attorney General in order to coordinate all criminal investigation and prosecution for the purpose of improving law enforcement within the State of Maine.   [PL 1967, c. 58, §1 (NEW).]
The Attorney General shall have full responsibility for the direction and control of all investigation and prosecution of homicides and such other major crimes as the Attorney General may deem necessary for the peace and good order of the State of Maine.   [PL 1967, c. 58, §1 (NEW).]
The Attorney General shall conduct and control all drug-related investigations of public officials or members of the law enforcement community.   [PL 1991, c. 837, Pt. B, §3 (NEW).]
The Attorney General has exclusive responsibility for the direction of any criminal investigation of an official holding a partisan public office when the alleged crime is a violation of Title 17‑A, chapter 25 or when, in the Attorney General's opinion, the alleged crime may affect the official's performance in office. As used in this section, the term "partisan public office" means an office in which, prior to an election to fill the office, the candidate must declare membership in a political party, or an office filled by the appointment of the Governor, the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Any law enforcement agency investigating an alleged crime that may result in formal charges against an official holding partisan public office shall, as soon as practicable, notify the Attorney General of the investigation. The Attorney General may, after review, designate any law enforcement agency to complete the investigation and direct its completion.   [PL 1991, c. 841, §3 (NEW).]
The Attorney General has exclusive responsibility for the direction and control of any criminal investigation of a law enforcement officer who, while acting in the performance of that law enforcement officer's duties, uses deadly force, as defined in Title 17‑A, section 2, subsection 8. Any law enforcement agency whose officer uses deadly force shall notify, as soon as practicable, the Attorney General of the event.   [PL 1995, c. 200, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1967, c. 58, §1 (NEW). PL 1991, c. 837, §B3 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 841, §3 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 200, §1 (AMD).
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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases, 1977–2014 · leading case: State v. Littlefield, 374 A.2d 590 (Me. 1977).
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State v. Littlefield, 374 A.2d 590 (Me. 1977). “Additionally, 5 M.R.S.A. § 200-A has for some time required the Attorney General’s prosecution of “homicides and such other major crimes as .”
State v. Steeves, 383 A.2d 1379 (Me. 1978). “See 5 M.R.S.A. § 200-A (1973 Supp.). 4 . Although both the docket and Attorney General’s brief state that a Motion for a Speedy Trial and a Motion to Dismiss were filed on that date, the Motion in the record for that date is entitled “Motion for Speedy Trial” and it requests…”
Moore v. Abbott, 2008 ME 100 (Me. 2008). · cites it 2× “The fact that three volunteers appointed by the Attorney General conducted the investigation, and not paid, professional members of his department, offers no rational basis to diminish the public's right, pursuant to the Freedom of Access Act, to seek access to the materials…”
MaineToday Media, Inc. v. State of Maine (Me. Super. Ct 2014). · cites it 2× “The parties have also stipulated that the Attorney General's Office is conducting an investigation into the shooting pursuant to 5 M.R.S. § 200-A 1 and has obtained film footage from 1 5 M.”
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