what is the job of the attorney general in california and how are they choosen

by Efrain Wilkinson 7 min read

What is the job description of the California Attorney General?

The California Department of Justice (CA DOJ or CAL DOJ) is a statewide investigative law enforcement agency and legal department of the California executive branch under the elected leadership of the California Attorney General (AG) which carries out complex criminal and civil investigations, prosecutions, and other

How is the Attorney General of the United States appointed?

The Attorney General's Office is committed to protecting the rights of all people. Recognizing that discrimination has no place in our society,The Attorney General's Office is fighting to protect transgender students and adults across the nation, and strictly enforcing the recently enacted California law that prohibits state-funded travel to states that discriminate against LGBTQ …

What are the powers and responsibilities of Attorneys General?

Mar 25, 2021 · The attorney general job comes with an annual salary of $182,189, and the position is next up for election in 2022. With that race looming, Bonta will soon call on his skills as a …

Who is California’s new Attorney General?

The California Department of Justice (CA DOJ or CAL DOJ) is a statewide investigative law enforcement agency and legal department of the California executive branch under the elected leadership of the California Attorney General (AG) which carries out complex criminal and civil investigations, prosecutions, and other

How is the California attorney general chosen?

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.

Who appoints the attorney general in California?

Attorney General of CaliforniaCalifornia Attorney GeneralStructureLength of term:4 yearsAuthority:California Constitution, Article 5, Section 11Selection Method:Elected14 more rows

What are the duties of the attorney general?

The principal duties of the Attorney General are to:Represent the United States in legal matters.Supervise and direct the administration and operation of the offices, boards, divisions, and bureaus that comprise the Department.More items...•Oct 8, 2021

How is a US Attorney General hired?

A U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE: BASIC FACTS U.S. Attorneys are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and they serve terms of four years or at the President's discretion.

Who was the last California attorney general?

California Former Attorneys GeneralMatthew Rodriguez2021 – 2021Xavier Becerra2017 – 2021Kamala D. Harris2010 – 2017Edmund G. Brown, Jr.2007 – 2011Bill Lockyer1999 – 200729 more rows

Who is California's current Attorney General?

Rob BontaRob Bonta, an Asian-American Progressive, Is Named Attorney General in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Mr. Bonta, an East Bay assemblyman, to fill the remaining term of Xavier Becerra, who became the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary last week.Mar 24, 2021

What is the difference between chief justice and Attorney General?

In layman terms, Chief Justice is a Judge and Attorney General is a Lawyer, both have distinct roles to play. The Attorney General of India is the highest law officer of the country and he/she is the chief legal advisor to the GoI. He is responsible to assist the government in all its legal matters.Feb 20, 2020

Does the attorney general control the FBI?

Within the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI is responsible to the attorney general, and it reports its findings to U.S. Attorneys across the country. The FBI's intelligence activities are overseen by the Director of National Intelligence.

What is the difference between Attorney General and Solicitor General?

The attorney general is usually a highly respected senior advocate of the court, and is appointed by the ruling government. ... The solicitor general is the second law officer of the state after the attorney general.Jan 14, 2006

How are U.S. attorneys selected?

United States Attorneys are appointed by the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the United States Senate, and serve at the direction of the Attorney General.

Is it hard to work for the DOJ?

Nice people and flexibility with hours for staff I enjoyed my time working at DOJ, although it can be stressful. The employees work hard and are very friendly. ... I spend most of my career at DOJ and enjoyed it throughout. I felt the pay was excellent and they provided training for advancement.

Are district attorneys elected?

In most U.S. state and local jurisdictions, prosecutors are elected to office. On the federal level, district attorneys are, in effect, members of the executive branch of the government; they are usually replaced when a new administration comes into office.

What is the Bureau of Children's Justice?

Bureau of Children's Justice. The Bureau’s mission is to protect the rights of children and focus the attention and resources of law enforcement and policymakers on the importance of safeguarding every child. View More.

What is the Attorney General's Office's view on the economic security of working families?

The Attorney General's Office believes that the economic security of working families is crucial to the economic well-being of California and will fight to make sure that everyone in our state can benefit from economic growth and consumer protections.

What is the Attorney General's Office?

The Attorney General's Office is committed to protecting the rights of all people. Recognizing that discrimination has no place in our society,The Attorney General's Office is fighting to protect transgender students and adults across the nation, and strictly enforcing the recently enacted California law that prohibits state-funded travel to states that discriminate against LGBTQ communities.

What is sexual violence?

Sexual violence derives from unequal power relationships, and is one of the most common violations of people’s rights. The Attorney General's Office is committed to combatting sexual violence in all its forms.

How effective are law enforcement officers?

Law enforcement officers can only be effective if they are trusted by the communities they serve. Police agencies across the country now confront a crisis of confidence that not only complicates their dangerous work but also demands a meaningful response.

Where was Bonta born?

Advertisement. Bonta was born in Quezon City in the Philippines, he said. His parents decided to move with him to California when he was 2 months old, acting ahead of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos’ declaration of martial law, he said in a biographical account.

Who is the attorney general of California?

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday appointed Democratic Assemblyman Rob Bonta as California attorney general, picking a leading advocate for criminal justice reform who has campaigned to abolish the death penalty and eliminate cash bail for many offenses. If confirmed by the state Legislature, Bonta, a resident of Alameda, ...

Who is the Assembly Assistant Majority Leader?

He has also shown loyalty to the governor, emerging in recent weeks as a leading voice against the threatened recall of Newsom. Bonta, who is married and has three children, is the Assembly assistant majority leader and serves on committees overseeing spending, communications and health issues.

Who is Mike Ferrell?

Anti-death penalty advocate and actor Mike Ferrell said he hopes Bonta “will be more active than our last two attorneys general.”. Advertisement. But Kent Scheidegger of the pro-death penalty Criminal Justice Legal Foundation expressed concern about Bonta’s nomination. “It goes beyond the death penalty.

What does the Attorney General do?

The role also requires the attorney general to assist local prosecutors and police agencies with criminal investigations, and prosecute violations of state laws, including those protecting the environment, charities and gun safety. The attorney general’s office also serves as a watchdog on police misconduct.

How many times did Becerra sue Trump?

As attorney general, Becerra was a leading litigator, challenging many of the former president‘s policies, having sued the Trump administration 123 times .The next state attorney general is not expected to spend as much time in court challenging federal policy during the Biden administration.

Who appointed Shirley Weber as Secretary of State?

That same month, Newsom appointed Assemblywoman Shirley Weber of San Diego as secretary of state, filling the vacancy caused by Padilla’s departure for Washington. California Politics California Law & Politics.

What is the job of the Attorney General?

The attorney general serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United Stateson all legal matters. The attorney general is a statutory member of the Cabinet of the United States.

Is "general" a noun?

The title "attorney general" is an example of a noun (attorney) followed by a postpositive adjective(general).[8]". General" is a description of the type of attorney, not a title or rank in itself (as it would be in the military).[8]

What is the role of the Attorney General?

Attorneys throughout the country, the Attorney General may provide guidance interpreting the law to assist in prosecuting or defending the United States in legal proceedings. The Attorney General also oversees the federal prison system and all of the systems that pertain to it.

How many times has Barr been Attorney General?

Barr has served as Attorney General twice, once during the George H.W. Bush administration from 1991 to 1993, and currently in the Trump administration. Barr has been consistent in his determination that the Executive branch claims absolute executive authority, contrary to our system of checks and balances.

When was the Office of the Attorney General created?

The Office of the Attorney General was created in 1789 and was intended to be a one-person position. The person in the position was supposed to be “learned in the law” and was tasked with conducting all suits in the Supreme Court and advising the president and cabinet in law-related matters.

Who is in charge of the Justice Department?

The Attorney General is in charge of the Department and is responsible for all aspects of the Justice Department. The head of this vast bureaucracy has enough impact to shape the way laws are treated by law enforcement professionals across the country.

What is the Department of Justice?

The Department of Justice is responsible for most of the legal business of the government, and therefore, many of the law enforcement agencies throughout the country . There are six litigating divisions in the department: Antitrust.

Who is Marissa Jordan?

Marissa Jordan is an accountant and freelance writer interested in current events, economics, and science. Formerly, she wrote for technical blogs on specialized software. When not writing or accounting, she likes spending time with family, reading, and trivia.

What is the role of an attorney general?

As chief legal officers of the states, commonwealths, District of Columbia, and territories of the United States, the role of an attorney general is to serve as counselor to state government agencies and legislatures, and as a representative of the public interest.

What is the People's Lawyer podcast?

The People’s Lawyer is a biweekly podcast from NAAG that explores the role of state and territory attorneys general as chief legal officers and their work protecting the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.

What is the role of a public advocate?

Issuing formal opinions to state agencies. Acting as public advocates in areas such as child support enforcement, consumer protections, antitrust and utility regulation. Proposing legislation. Enforcing federal and state environmental laws. Representing the state and state agencies before the state and federal courts.

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.
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Authority

  • The office of attorney general is established by the California Constitution. California Constitution, Article 5, Section 11
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Qualifications

  • State law requires that the attorney general be admitted to practice before the California Supreme Courtfor five years before election. California Government Code, Section 12503 Additionally, each candidate for attorney general must: 1. Be a registered voter 2. Be registered with their party for at least three months 2.1. Not have been registered with a different political party in the last 12 mo…
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Elections

  • Attorneys general are elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in federal midterm election years, e.g. 2018, 2022, 2026 and 2030.Like all constitutional state officers, the attorney general assumes office on the first Monday in the new year following the election. California Constitution, Article 5, Section 11
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Vacancies

  • The vacancy procedure for the office of attorney general is determined by the Constitution. When a vacancy occurs, the governornominates 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 th…
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Duties

  • 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 …
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Divisions

  • As of January 12, 2021, the California Attorney General's Office is composed of the following divisions. 1. Public Safety 2. Opinions and Quo Warranto 3. Research Advisory Panel 4. Research Center 5. Children & Families 6. Civil Rights 7. Consumer Protection 8. Environment & Public Health
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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.
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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.
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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
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