The Oregon Department of Justice is responsible for general counsel and supervision of all civil actions and legal proceedings in which the state is a party or has an interest. The Department, through the Attorney General, also has full charge and control of all the state's legal business that requires the services of an attorney or legal counsel. The Department is further responsible for the operation of a number of program areas designated by the legislature, such as child support, district attorney assistance, crime victim compensation, charitable activity enforcement and consumer protection services.