who is california's state attorney general

by Declan Langworth 6 min read

Who is California's current Attorney General?

Attorney General Rob BontaAttorney General Rob Bonta | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General.

Who is the current Attorney General?

The current Attorney General is Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame. He was appointed by President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo in 2021.

What is the role of the California attorney general?

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. ... Assists district attorneys, local law enforcement and federal and international criminal justice agencies in the administration of justice.

How many attorney generals are in California?

33 California attorneysThere have been 33 California attorneys general since 1849. Of the 32 officeholders, 19 were Democrat, 13 were Republican and one was American Independent.

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

Is Attorney General part of the judiciary?

The attorney general maintains the Attorney General's Office and currently attends (but is not a member of) Cabinet. Unlike in other countries utilizing the common law legal system, the Attorney General does not administer the judicial system; that function is carried out by the Secretary of State for Justice.

What is the role of the DOJ?

To enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial ...

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.

Does California have a Secretary of State?

About Secretary Shirley N. Weber was sworn in as California Secretary of State on January 29, 2021.

Does each state have an Attorney General?

All 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, have an attorney general who serves as the chief legal officer in their jurisdiction, counsels its government agencies and legislatures, and is a representative of the public ...

Who is California's deputy attorney general?

Peter H. Chang - Deputy Attorney General - California Department of Justice | LinkedIn.

Who is the current district attorney of San Francisco?

Chesa BoudinThe current district attorney is Chesa Boudin....List of San Francisco district attorneys.District attorneyTenureGeorge Gascón2011–2019Suzy Loftus (interim)2019–2020Chesa Boudin2020–presentReference:27 more rows

What are the duties of an attorney general?

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.

What is the OAG?

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).

How long is the term of the California Attorney General?

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 .

Where is the California Attorney General's office?

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.

Who will be the next attorney general in 2021?

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.

How to become an attorney general?

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

What does the Attorney General do?

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.".

How many terms can a Lieutenant Governor serve?

No Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Controller, Secretary of State, or Treasurer may serve in the same office for more than 2 terms.

When is the attorney general election?

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.

Who won the 2018 California primary?

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.

What happens when a governor vacancy occurs?

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.

What is the job of the Attorney General of California?

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.

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.

What is the office of the Attorney General?

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, ...

How long is the term of the Attorney General?

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.

What is administrative law?

Administrative Law is the legal field associated with events and circumstances in which Federal and State Governments of the United States interact with their respective citizens, including the administration of government programs, the creation of agencies, the establishment of a legal, ...

Who is Kamala Harris?

Kamala Harris is currently the 32nd California District Attorney; the preservation and protection of State Laws with regard to the responsibilities required of Kamala Harris are expressed within the State Constitution of California in Article 5, Section 13: Kamala Harris is responsible for both the oversight and regulation ...

What is the common law in California?

Common Law and the California Attorney General. The California Attorney General is identified as an officer within the legal realm of Common Law, which is the legal field and ideology considered to rely on past legal statutes, sentencing, and judicial review to serve as guidelines for sentencing; both the reference and respect ...

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

Past elections

Incumbent Xavier Becerra defeated Steven Bailey in the general election for Attorney General of California on November 6, 2018.

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Overview

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,…

Duties

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…

History

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…

Diversity

• 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.

List of attorneys general of California

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)

External links

• Official website
• California Attorney General articles at ABA Journal
• News and Commentary at FindLaw

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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