California Department of Justice | |
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Agency executives | Kevin Gardner, Chief, Div. of Law Enforcement Joe Dominic, Chief, Div. of Criminal Justice Information Services Gerald Engler, Chief/Asst. AG, Div. of Criminal Law Kathleen Kenealy, Chief/Asst. AG, Div. of Civil Law Mark Breckler, Chief/Asst. AG, Div. of Public Rights |
Office and current official | Salary |
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Governor of California Gavin Newsom | $209,747 |
Lieutenant Governor of California Eleni Kounalakis | |
Attorney General of California Rob Bonta | |
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber |
Matthew Rodriguez | 2021 – 2021 |
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John K. Van de Kamp | 1983 – 1991 |
George Deukemejian | 1979 – 1983 |
Evelle J. Younger | 1971 – 1979 |
Thomas C. Lynch | 1964 – 1971 |
California Bureau of Investigation | |
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Operational structure | |
Headquarters | Sacramento, California |
Division Chief responsible | Kevin Gardner, Chief, Division of Law Enforcement |
Agency executive | Christopher Caligiuri, Director, Bureau of Investigation |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The California attorney general's main office in Sacramento is housed in this building. According to the state Constitution, the Code of Civil Procedure, and the Government Code, the attorney general: As the state's chief law officer, ensures that the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced.
The California attorney general is elected to a four-year term, with a maximum of two terms. The election is held at the same statewide election as the governor, lieutenant governor, controller, secretary of state, treasurer, superintendent of public instruction, and insurance commissioner .
According to the state Constitution, the Code of Civil Procedure, and the Government Code, the attorney general: 1 As the state's chief law officer, ensures that the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced. 2 Heads the Department of Justice, which is responsible for providing state legal services and support for local law enforcement. 3 Acts as the chief counsel in state litigation. 4 Oversees law enforcement agencies, including district attorneys and sheriffs.
On March 24, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he would be appointing Rob Bonta as attorney general to succeed Xavier Becerra, who resigned the position to become Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden.
oag .ca .gov. 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 state are uniformly and adequately enforced" ( Constitution of California, Article V, Section 13).
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.
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.
Additionally, each candidate for attorney general must: 1 Be a registered voter 2 Be registered with their party for at least three months#N#Not have been registered with a different political party in the last 12 months 3 Not have been previously term-limited out
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.".
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.
Nonpartisan primary election. Incumbent Xavier Becerra and Steven Bailey defeated Dave Jones and Eric Early in the primary for Attorney General of California on June 5, 2018.
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.
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom of California on Wednesday named Rob Bonta, a Democratic state legislator and loyal political ally, to succeed Xavier Becerra as attorney general, placing an advocate of criminal justice reform and a rising Asian-American progressive at the helm of California’s largest law enforcement agency.
Rob 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.
Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:
Incumbent Xavier Becerra defeated Steven Bailey in the general election for Attorney General of California on November 6, 2018.
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 state are uniformly and adequately enforced" (Constitution of California, Article V, Section 13). The California attorney general carries out the responsibilities of the office through the California Department of Justice. The department employs over 1,…
According to the state Constitution, the Code of Civil Procedure, and the Government Code, the attorney general:
• As the state's chief law officer, ensures that the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced.
• Heads the Department of Justice, which is responsible for providing state legal services and support for local law enforce…
Although the office of attorney general dates to the admission of California to the Union, the office in its modern form dates to Proposition 4 of 1934, sponsored by Alameda County District Attorney Earl Warrenas one of four initiatives he sponsored to substantially reform law enforcement and the judiciary. Previously, the attorney general lacked jurisdiction over matters in the jurisdiction of locally elected district attorneys and sheriffs. Warren went on to become attor…
• Stanley Mosk was the first adherent of Judaism to hold the office.
• George Deukmejian was the first Armenian American to hold the office.
• Kamala Harris was the first woman, the first Asian American, and the first African American to hold the office.
Major other offices held
• Xavier Becerra (2017–2021) – 25th Secretary of Health and Human Services (2021–present)
• Jerry Brown (2007–2011) – 34th and 39th Governor of California (1975–1983; 2011–2019)
• Pat Brown (1951–1959) – 32nd Governor of California (1959–1967)
• Official website
• California Attorney General articles at ABA Journal
• News and Commentary at FindLaw