The attorney general's office represents the state government in court cases and issues opinions of points of law upon request.

Drew Wrigley was appointed to the position on February 8, 2022, to finish the term of Wayne Stenehjem, who died in office.

The office has been held by the North Dakota Republican Party for a wide majority of its existence; only three of the 28 attorneys general were from the state's Democratic Party and two attorneys general ran on the Non Partisan League-ticket.

The attorney general originally served a two-year term, but this was extended to four in 1964 by a constitutional amendment.

The attorney general is also responsible for gambling regulations (except horse betting), overseeing the state's lottery and charitable gaming, as well as the intergovernmental compacts related to Native American gaming within North Dakota.