Whenever it is necessary or desirable for the State in order to collect or recover any money or penalty, or to recover or obtain the possession of any specific property, real or personal, or to enforce any other right (except in respect to criminal prosecutions) to institute judicial proceedings, except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the attorney general may bring and maintain an action or actions for any such purpose in any appropriate court or courts. All such actions shall be entitled in the name of the State by the attorney general, against the party or parties or thing sued, as defendants.