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- About the Office of the Attorney General
- About the AG
The Attorney General is the state's top lawyer and law enforcement official, protecting and serving the people and interests of California through a broad range of duties. The Attorney General's responsibilities include safeguarding Californians from harm and promoting community safety, preserving California's spectacular natural resources, enforcing civil rights laws, and helping victims of identity theft, mortgage-related fraud, illegal business practices, and other consumer crimes.
Overseeing more than 5,000 lawyers, investigators, sworn peace officers, and other employees, the Attorney General:
- Represents the People of California in civil and criminal matters before trial courts, appellate courts and the supreme courts of California and the United States.
- Serves as legal counsel to state officers and, with few exceptions, to state agencies, boards and commissions.
- Assists district attorneys, local law enforcement and federal and international criminal justice agencies in the administration of justice.
- Strengthens California's law enforcement community by coordinating statewide narcotics enforcement efforts, supporting criminal investigations and providing forensic science services, identification and information services and telecommunication support.
- Manages programs and special projects to detect and crack down on fraudulent, unfair and illegal activities that victimize consumers or threaten public safety.
Under the state Constitution, the Attorney General is elected to a four-year term in the same statewide election as the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Controller, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Insurance Commissioner. In 1990, California voters imposed a two-term limit on these statewide offices.
Mission Statement It is our duty to serve our state and work honorably every day to fulfill California's promise. The Attorney General and Department of Justice employees provide leadership, information and education in partnership with state and local governments and the people of California to: Enforce and apply all of our laws fairly and impartially. Ensure justice, safety and liberty for everyone. Encourage economic prosperity, equal opportunity and tolerance. Safeguard California's human, natural and financial resources for this and future generations. About the Office
- About Attorney General Rob Bonta
- History of the Office of the Attorney General
- The Attorney General's Diversity Statement
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Attorney general of california.
- 1 Current officeholder
- 2 Authority
- 3 Qualifications
- 4.4 Full History
- 4.5 Term limits
- 5 Vacancies
- 7 Divisions
- 8 State budget
- 10 Historical officeholders
- 11 Recent news
- 12 Contact information
- 13 See also
- 14 External links
- 15 Footnotes
The Attorney General of California is the chief law officer of California and the state's primary legal counsel. The attorney general "[sees] that the laws of the State are uniformly and adequately enforced" and prosecutes violations of state law through the California Department of Justice, which he or she oversees. [1]
The officeholder also represents state agencies and officers in legal matters and provides legal advice on request. Further, the attorney general plays a direct role in law enforcement efforts and "coordinates statewide narcotics enforcement efforts, participates in criminal investigations and provides forensic science services, identification and information services and telecommunication support." [1]
Additionally, attorneys general play a prominent policymaking role by "[establishing] and [operating] projects and programs to protect Californians from fraudulent, unfair, and illegal activities that victimize consumers or threaten public safety." [1]
California has a Democratic triplex . The Democratic Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
Current officeholder
The current officeholder is Rob Bonta , a Democrat . He was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to replace Xavier Becerra (D), who left office when he was confirmed as U.S. secretary of health and human services . [2]
The office of attorney general is established by the California Constitution .
California Constitution, Article 5, Section 11
Qualifications
State law requires that the attorney general be admitted to practice before the California Supreme Court for five years before election. [3]
California Government Code, Section 12503
Additionally, each candidate for attorney general must: [4]
- Be a registered voter
- Not have been registered with a different political party in the last 12 months
- Not have been previously term-limited out
Attorneys general are elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in federal midterm election years, e.g. 2018, 2022, 2026 and 2030. [5] Like all constitutional state officers, the attorney general assumes office on the first Monday in the new year following the election. [6]
General election for Attorney General of California
Incumbent Rob Bonta defeated Nathan Hochman in the general election for Attorney General of California on November 8, 2022.
Nonpartisan primary for Attorney General of California
Incumbent Rob Bonta and Nathan Hochman defeated Eric Early , Anne Marie Schubert , and Daniel Kapelovitz in the primary for Attorney General of California on June 7, 2022.
Incumbent Xavier Becerra defeated Steven C. Bailey in the general election for Attorney General of California on November 6, 2018.
Incumbent Xavier Becerra and Steven C. Bailey defeated Dave Jones and Eric Early in the primary for Attorney General of California on June 5, 2018.
Full History
Term limits.
Attorneys general, like all state constitutional officers, face an absolute limit of two terms in office. [9]
The vacancy procedure for the office of attorney general is determined by the Constitution. When a vacancy occurs, the governor nominates a replacement to serve the remainder of the term under the next election. The appointee must be confirmed by a majority of both house of the California legislature. Until the replacement is approved, the former officeholder's chief deputy exercises the office. [10]
California Constitution, Article 5, Section 5b
The attorney general acts as the state's chief law officer and oversees the California Department of Justice. He or she supervises the state's district and city attorneys, as well as its law enforcement officers. The attorney general may personally prosecute any case that would normally be handled by a district or city attorney and represents the state in all cases before the California Supreme Court. Additionally, the attorney general is responsible for issuing formal legal advice to state agencies and officers. [11]
The attorney general also has a policymaking role in state law enforcement and "establishes and operates projects and programs to protect Californians from fraudulent, unfair, and illegal activities that victimize consumers or threaten public safety." [1] Examples include the Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse, Megan's Law (sex offenses), California's Most Wanted and Campaign Against Marijuana Planting programs. [12]
He or she also fulfills a number of administrative duties, including preparing an annual report for the governor of California on the state of his department, calling meetings of state law enforcement officers and disposing of property forfeited to the state by court judgments. [13]
As of January 12, 2021, the California Attorney General's Office is composed of the following divisions. [14]
- Public Safety
- Opinions and Quo Warranto
- Research Advisory Panel
- Research Center
- Children & Families
- Civil Rights
- Consumer Protection
- Environment & Public Health
State budget
The budget for the attorney general-led Department of Justice was $1,132,250,000 in the 2020-2021 fiscal year. [15]
Compensation
The salaries of California's elected executives are determined by the California Citizens Compensation Commission, a seven-member board appointed by the governor to six-year terms. The commission was established after voters passed Proposition 112 , an amendment to the California Constitution , in 1990. Commissioners meet prior to June 30 of each year to determine salary recommendations with changes effective the following December. From 2001 to 2013, the commission voted to increase salaries or benefits five times and decreased or made no changes to salaries eight times. [16]
In 2021, the attorney general received a salary of $182,189, according to the Council of State Governments . [17]
In 2020, the attorney general received a salary of $182,189, according to the Council of State Governments . [18]
In 2019, the attorney general received a salary of $175,182, according to the Council of State Governments . [19]
In 2018, the attorney general received a salary of $170,080, according to the Council of State Governments . [20]
In 2017, the attorney general received a salary of $165,126, according to the Council of State Governments . [21]
In 2016, the attorney general received a salary of $158,775, according to the Council of State Governments . [22]
In 2015, the attorney general received a salary of $154,150, according to the Council of State Governments . [23]
In 2014, the attorney general received a salary of $151,127, according to the Council of State Governments . [24]
In 2013, the attorney general received a salary of $151,127. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments . [25]
In 2010, the attorney general received a salary of $151,127. [26]
Historical officeholders
There have been 33 California attorneys general since 1849. Of the 32 officeholders, 19 were Democrat , 13 were Republican and one was American Independent . [27]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms California Attorney General Rob Bonta. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Attorney General of California - Google News
Contact information
Physical address: Attorney General's Office California Department of Justice Attention: Public Inquiry Unit Post Office Box 944255 Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
Phone: 916-210-6276 Fax: 916-323-5341
External links
- Office of the Attorney General of California
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 State of California Department of Justice , "About the AG," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑ Office of Governor Gavin Newsom , "Governor Newsom Swears in Rob Bonta as Attorney General of California," April 23, 2021
- ↑ California Government Code , "Part 2, Chapter 6, Article 1, Section 12503," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑ California Secretary of State , "Summary of Qualifications and Requirements for June 8, 2010 Primary Election... Attorney general, Controller, or Treasurer," accessed June 23, 2011
- ↑ California Elections Code , "Sections 1001-1003," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑ California Constitution , "Article 5, Section 11," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑ California Secretary of State , "2010 General Election Results"
- ↑ California Secretary of State , "General Election -Statement of Vote, November 7, 2006," accessed January 25, 2022
- ↑ California Constitution , "Article 5, Section 5b," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑ California Constitution, Article 5, Section 13
- ↑ Office of the Attorney General , "Programs A-Z," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑ Office of the Attorney General , "Publications," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑ California Attorney General's Office , "About," accessed January 12, 2021
- ↑ California Department of Finance, "2021-22 State Budget - Legislative, Judicial, and Executive," accessed August 30, 2021
- ↑ California Citizens Compensation Commission, "About the Commission," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑ Issuu , "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed November 14, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments , "Book of the States 2013, Table 4.11," accessed February 2, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments , "Book of the States 2010 -- Table 4.11," accessed June 23, 2011
- ↑ National Governors Association, "History of California Constitutional Officers," accessed April 13, 2015
- Pages using DynamicPageList dplreplace parser function
- California state executive offices
- Offices of the American attorneys general
- Offices of state executive officials by state
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2018 California Code Government Code - GOV TITLE 2 - GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DIVISION 3 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT PART 2 - CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS CHAPTER 6 - Attorney General
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Justice Department Finds Civil Rights Violations by the Louisville Metro Police Department and Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government
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Readout of Attorney General Merrick B. Garland’s Trip to Ukraine
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Good morning, everyone. On April 26, 2021, I announced that the Justice Department had opened a civil investigation into the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government and the Louisville Metro...
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The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) announced today it will be undertaking two important reviews: one related to the Memphis Police Department...
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Government agencies > office of the attorney general.
The California Attorney General’s Office (AGO) is a branch of the California Department of Justice, the attorneys who represent the interests of the state in California state judicial proceedings. The licensing section of the Attorney General’s Office handles professional licensing denials and revocations, through the filing of Statements of Issues for license denials and Accusations against licensed professionals facing discipline. The individual attorneys who handle licensing cases are Deputy Attorney Generals (DAGs), supervised by Supervising Deputy Attorney Generals (SDAGs), and they work in four main offices throughout California: Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland, and Sacramento.
Most state agencies are represented by DAGs during disciplinary proceedings. At the investigation stage, the Deputy Attorney General works with an investigator and an expert to discuss the probable disciplinary proceedings that follow the investigation. When the case reached the Accusation stage, the Deputy Attorney General writes the Accusation and then deals with correspondence with the licensee, including discovery, scheduling, evidence, and possible settlement. If the case is not resolved prior to trial, the DAG prosecutes the agency’s position in the administrative hearing in front of the Administrative Law Judge at the Office of Administrative Hearings.
The Deputy Attorney General does not directly decide the outcome of any particular case, but he or she is usually authorized to discuss settlement with a licensing attorney and reach an agreement on disciplinary terms. In some cases, the DAG is not given the ability to settle the case, and must take the case all the way to hearing. Each Deputy Attorney General handles cases their own specific way — it is critical to find experienced counsel that has familiarity dealing with each Attorney General’s Office branch and with as many Deputy Attorney Generals as possible. At Ray & Bishop, PLC, we deal with Deputy Attorney Generals daily. We resolve cases through settlement, we exchange discovery, we negotiate hearings and settlement conferences, and we try cases, every day, with Deputy Attorney Generals across the state.
It is critical to the defense of your license that your attorney be familiar with the Attorney General’s Office, the Department of Justice, and the laws and regulations specific to your profession. The Deputy Attorney General cannot give you legal advice—they work against your interests. Contact Ray & Bishop, PLC, if you are contacted by a Deputy Attorney General.
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This Google™ translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. The Office of the Attorney General is unable to guarantee the accuracy of this
The Attorney General is the state's top lawyer and law enforcement official, ... with state and local governments and the people of California to:.
The attorney general of California is the state attorney general of the Government of California. The officer's duty is to ensure that "the laws of the
California state government organizational chart. Attorneys general are elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in federal midterm election
SUMMARY OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES BY PRACTICE AREA. Administrative Law. California Attorney General Licensing Division. California Attorney General
TITLE 2 - GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DIVISION 3 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT PART 2 - CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS CHAPTER 6 - Attorney General.
CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE - OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. The office provides consumer ... Government Complaints/Government Ombudsman Offices.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks on Civil Rights Violations ... Metro Police Department and Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government.
I defend California statutes and agency actions against constitutional and statutory challenges in state and federal trial and appellate courts.
Government Agencies > Office of the Attorney General. The California Attorney General's Office (AGO) is a branch of the California Department of Justice