Attorney General of California
The California Attorney General is the State Attorney General of the government of the state of California in the USA. The officer's duty is to ensure that "the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced" (California Constitution, Article V, Section 13.) The Attorney General carries out the responsibilities of the office through the California Department of Justice.
The 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. The current Attorney General is Jerry Brown, a former Governor of California and the son of Pat Brown, who was also Attorney General and Governor.
Duties
According to the state Constitution and the California Government Code, the Attorney General:
- As the state’s chief law officer, ensures that the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced.[1]
- Heads the Department of Justice, which is responsible for providing state legal services and support for local law enforcement.[2]
- Acts as the chief counsel in state litigation.
- Oversees law enforcement agencies, including District Attorneys and Sheriffs.[3]
See also
Notable attorneys general from California
- Ulysses S. Webb longest serving at 37 years
- Earl Warren - Chief Justice of the United States
- Pat Brown - Governor of California
- Stanley Mosk - Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court
- Dan Lungren - Congressman
- George Deukmejian - Governor of California
- Jerry Brown California Secretary of State(1971-1975), Governor of California (1975-1983) Mayor, Oakland California (1999-2007), California Attorney General (2007-present)