Jump to content

Attorney General of California: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→List of attorneys general of California: Deleted information that was entirely unnecessary. There was no reason for that to be there. The context implied that she was appointed VP in 2017, when she was in fact ELECTED senator that date. She was ELECTED VP in 2020 and sworn in 2021. Clicking the link would clarify that (info is right there). Do better.
 
(48 intermediate revisions by 30 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox Political post
{{Infobox Political post
|post = Attorney General
| post = Attorney General of California
| insignia = CA-DOJ-LOGO.png
|body = [[California]]
| insigniasize = 120
|insignia = CA-DOJ-LOGO.png
| insigniacaption = [[Great_Seal_of_California#Government_seals_of_California|Seal of the attorney general of California]]
|insigniasize = 180
|insigniacaption = Seal of the attorney general of California
| flag = Flag of California.svg
| flagsize = 135
|image =Bonta headshot.jpg
| flagborder = yes
|incumbent = [[Rob Bonta]]
| flagcaption = [[Flag of California|State flag]]
|incumbentsince = April 23, 2021
| image = File:Rob Bonta official portrait (cropped).jpg
|department = [[California Department of Justice|Department of Justice]]
| incumbent = [[Rob Bonta]]
|style = The Honorable
| incumbentsince = April 23, 2021
|termlength = Four years, two term limit
| department = [[Government of California]]<br>[[California Department of Justice|Department of Justice]]
|salary = $151,127
| style = The Honorable
|formation = [[California Constitution]]
| termlength = Four years, two term limit
|inaugural = [[Edward J. C. Kewen]]<br>1849
| salary = $151,127
|website = {{url|oag.ca.gov}}
| formation = [[California Constitution]]
| inaugural = [[Edward J. C. Kewen]]<br>1849
| website = {{url|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). The California attorney general carries out the responsibilities of the office through the [[California Department of Justice]]. The department employs over 1,100 attorneys and 3,700 non-attorney employees.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
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 1,100 attorneys and 3,700 non-attorney employees.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}


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 of California|governor]], [[California Lieutenant Governor|lieutenant governor]], [[California State Controller|controller]], [[California Secretary of State|secretary of state]], [[California State Treasurer|treasurer]], [[California Superintendent of Public Instruction|superintendent of public instruction]], and [[California Insurance Commissioner|insurance commissioner]]. A few individual attorneys general have gone on to higher offices on the state and federal level, including the offices of governor, [[Chief Justice of the United States|chief justice of the United States Supreme Court]], and [[vice president of the United States]].
The California attorney general is elected to a four-year term, with a maximum of two terms. The election is held during the same statewide election for the [[Governor of California|governor]] and other state offices. Several attorneys general have gone on to higher office or office on the federal level, including the offices of governor, [[United States Senate|United States Senator]], [[Chief Justice of the United States|chief justice of the United States Supreme Court]], and [[vice president of the United States]].


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 [[United States Secretary of Health and Human Services|Secretary of Health and Human Services]] under President [[Joe Biden]]. Bonta's appointment was subject to confirmation by both houses of the [[California State Legislature]], and he was sworn in on April 23, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-24|title=Rob Bonta, Bay Area Democratic lawmaker, appointed California attorney general|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-03-24/newsom-attorney-general-ag-california-rob-bonta-appointment|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Hubler|first=Shawn|date=2021-03-24|title=Rob Bonta, an Asian-American Progressive, Is Named Attorney General in California|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/24/us/rob-bonta-california-attorney-general.html|access-date=2021-03-24|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-12-21|title=Attorney General Rob Bonta|url=https://oag.ca.gov/about|access-date=2021-07-15|website=State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General|language=en}}</ref>
On March 24, 2021, Governor [[Gavin Newsom]] announced that he would be appointing [[Rob Bonta]] as attorney general to succeed [[Xavier Becerra]], who resigned from the position to become [[United States Secretary of Health and Human Services|Secretary of Health and Human Services]] under President [[Joe Biden]]. Bonta's appointment was subject to confirmation by both houses of the [[California State Legislature]], and he was sworn in on April 23, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-24|title=Rob Bonta, Bay Area Democratic lawmaker, appointed California attorney general|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-03-24/newsom-attorney-general-ag-california-rob-bonta-appointment|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Hubler|first=Shawn|date=2021-03-24|title=Rob Bonta, an Asian-American Progressive, Is Named Attorney General in California|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/24/us/rob-bonta-california-attorney-general.html|access-date=2021-03-24|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-12-21|title=Attorney General Rob Bonta|url=https://oag.ca.gov/about|access-date=2021-07-15|website=State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General|language=en}}</ref>


==Duties==
==Duties==
Line 35: Line 38:


==History==
==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,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ballotpedia.org/History_of_Initiative_and_Referendum_in_California|title=History of Initiative and Referendum in California|access-date=10 September 2018}}</ref> sponsored by Alameda County District Attorney [[Earl Warren]] as 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Proposition 4 (1934)|url=http://repository.uchastings.edu/ca_ballot_props/319/}}</ref> Warren went on to become attorney general himself in 1938, reorganizing's the state's law enforcement into districts.
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,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ballotpedia.org/History_of_Initiative_and_Referendum_in_California|title=History of Initiative and Referendum in California|access-date=10 September 2018}}</ref> sponsored by Alameda County District Attorney [[Earl Warren]] as 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.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Proposition 4 (1934)|journal=Propositions |date=January 1934 |url=http://repository.uchastings.edu/ca_ballot_props/319/}}</ref> Warren went on to become attorney general himself in 1938, reorganizing's the state's law enforcement into districts.

Under [[Robert W. Kenny]], the office was complicit in the [[Internment of Japanese Americans|incarceration of Japanese Americans]] during [[World War II]], a position it has since apologized for.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reports |first=Rafu |date=2023-08-15 |title=Bonta Issues Apology Acknowledging Complicity of State Attorney General’s Office in Incarceration of JAs |url=http://rafu.com/2023/08/bonta-issues-apology-acknowledging-complicity-of-state-attorney-generals-office-in-incarceration-of-jas/ |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=Rafu Shimpo |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Diversity==
==Diversity==
*[[Stanley Mosk]] was the first adherent of [[Judaism]] to hold the office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jun-20-mn-12547-story.html |title=Stanley Mosk, State's Senior Justice, Dies |last1=Thurber |first1=Jon |last2=Dolan |first2=Maura |date=June 20, 2001 |website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 3, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Stanley Mosk]] was the first adherent of [[Judaism]] to hold the office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jun-20-mn-12547-story.html |title=Stanley Mosk, State's Senior Justice, Dies |last1=Thurber |first1=Jon |last2=Dolan |first2=Maura |date=June 20, 2001 |website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 3, 2020}}</ref>
*[[George Deukmejian]] was the first [[Armenian Americans|Armenian American]] to hold the office.
*[[George Deukmejian]] was the first [[Armenian Americans|Armenian American]] to hold the office.
*[[Kamala Harris]] was the first woman, the first [[Asian Americans|Asian American]], and the first [[African Americans|African American]] to hold the office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rollcall.com/podcasts/political-theater/its-just-history-kamala-harris-as-the-vp-nominee/ |title='It's just history': Kamala Harris as the VP nominee |last=Dick |first=Jason |publisher=FiscalNote |date=August 12, 2020 |website=CQ Roll Call |access-date=October 3, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Kamala Harris]] was the first woman, the first [[Asian Americans|Asian American]] to hold the office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rollcall.com/podcasts/political-theater/its-just-history-kamala-harris-as-the-vp-nominee/ |title='It's just history': Kamala Harris as the VP nominee |last=Dick |first=Jason |publisher=FiscalNote |date=August 12, 2020 |website=CQ Roll Call |access-date=October 3, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Xavier Becerra]] was the first [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Latino]] to hold the office.<ref>{{cite web|title=Attorney General Xavier Becerra|url=https://oag.ca.gov/about|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323051139/https://oag.ca.gov/about|archive-date=March 23, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2020|website=Office of the Attorney General|publisher=State of California Department of Justice}}</ref>
*[[Xavier Becerra]] was the first [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Latino]] to hold the office.<ref>{{cite web|title=Attorney General Xavier Becerra|url=https://oag.ca.gov/about|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323051139/https://oag.ca.gov/about|archive-date=March 23, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2020|website=Office of the Attorney General|date=December 21, 2010 |publisher=State of California Department of Justice}}</ref>
*[[Rob Bonta]] is the first [[Filipino Americans|Filipino American]] to hold the office.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 23, 2021|title=Governor Newsom Swears in Rob Bonta as Attorney General of California|work=Office of Governor Gavin Newsom|url=https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/04/23/governor-newsom-swears-in-rob-bonta-as-attorney-general-of-california/|access-date=July 14, 2021}}</ref>
*[[Rob Bonta]] is the first [[Filipino Americans|Filipino American]] to hold the office.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 23, 2021|title=Governor Newsom Swears in Rob Bonta as Attorney General of California|work=Office of Governor Gavin Newsom|url=https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/04/23/governor-newsom-swears-in-rob-bonta-as-attorney-general-of-california/|access-date=July 14, 2021}}</ref>


==List of attorneys general of California==
==List of attorneys general of California==
{| class="wikitable" style=text-align:center;

!No.
{| class="wikitable"
!Portrait
!#
!Name
!Name
!colspan=2|Party
!Took office
!Term
!Left office
|-
!Party
!1
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|[[File:Kewen.jpg|80px]]
|1
|[[Edward J. C. Kewen]]
|[[Edward J. C. Kewen]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|1849
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|1850
|1849 <br> – <br> 1850
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|-
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|2
!2
|[[File:James A. McDougall.jpg|80px]]
|[[James A. McDougall]]
|[[James A. McDougall]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|1850
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|1851
|1850 <br> – <br> 1851
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|-
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|3
!3
|[[Serranus Clinton Hastings|S. Clinton Hastings]]
|[[File:Serranus Clinton Hastings by John Chester Buttre (1).jpeg|80px]]
|[[Serranus Clinton Hastings|Serranus C. Hastings]]
|1852
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|1854
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| January 5, 1852 <br> – <br> January 2, 1854
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|4
|-
!4
|[[File:John R. McConnell.jpg|80px]]
|[[John R. McConnell]]
|[[John R. McConnell]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|1854
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|1856
| 1854 <br> – <br> 1856
|-
!5
|[[File:William M. Stewart - Brady-Handy (cropped).jpg|80px]]
|[[William Morris Stewart|William M. Stewart]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| June 7, 1853 <br> – <br> December 1853 <br> {{small|(acting)}}
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|5
|-
!6
|[[William Morris Stewart|William M. Stewart]]<br />{{small|Acting for McConnell}}
|[[File:William T. Wallace (1).jpg|80px]]
|1854
|1854
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|- {{party shading/American}}
|6
|[[William T. Wallace]]
|[[William T. Wallace]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Know Nothing}}" |
|1856
|[[Know Nothing|American]]
|1858
| January 1856 <br> – <br> January 1858
|American
|-
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|7
!7
|[[File:Thomas H. Williams.jpg|80px]]
|[[Thomas H. Williams (California official)|Thomas H. Williams]]
|[[Thomas H. Williams (California official)|Thomas H. Williams]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|1858
|1862
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| 1858 <br> – <br> 1862
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|8
|-
!8
|[[File:Frank Morrison Pixley (cropped).jpg|80px]]
|[[Frank M. Pixley]]
|[[Frank M. Pixley]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|1862
|1863
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 1862 <br> – <br> 1863
|- {{party shading/Unionist}}
|9
|-
!9
|[[File:John G McCullough.jpg|80px]]
|[[John G. McCullough]]
|[[John G. McCullough]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|1863
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|1867
| 1863 <br> – <br> 1867
|Union
|-
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|10
!10
|[[File:Jo Hamilton 1 (a).jpg|80px]]
|[[Jo Hamilton (politician)|Jo Hamilton]]
|[[Jo Hamilton (politician)|Jo Hamilton]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|1867
|1871
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| December 5, 1867 <br> – <br> December 8, 1871
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|11
|-
!11
|[[John Lord Love]]
|[[File:John Love 11th Attorney General of California (1).jpg|80px]]
|1871
|[[John Lord Love|John L. Love]]
|1875
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| December 8, 1871 <br> – <br> December 9, 1875
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|12
|-
!12
|Jo Hamilton
|[[File:Jo Hamilton 1 (a).jpg|80px]]
|1875
|[[Jo Hamilton (politician)|Jo Hamilton]]
|1880
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| December 9, 1875 <br> – <br> January 8, 1880
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|13
|-
!13
|[[File:August L. Hart (1).jpg|80px]]
|[[Augustus L. Hart]]
|[[Augustus L. Hart]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|1880
|1883
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| January 8, 1880 <br> – <br> January 10, 1883
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|14
|-
!14
|[[File:Edward-C-Marshall.jpg|80px]]
|[[Edward C. Marshall]]
|[[Edward C. Marshall]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|1883
|1887
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| January 10, 1883 <br> – <br> January 8, 1887
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|15
|-
!15
|[[File:George A. Johnson (1).jpg|80px]]
|[[George A. Johnson]]
|[[George A. Johnson]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|1887
|1891
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| January 8, 1887 <br> – <br> January 8, 1891
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|16
|-
!16
|[[File:William H. Hart.jpg|80px]]
|[[William H. H. Hart]]
|[[William H. H. Hart]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|1891
|1895
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| January 8, 1891 <br> – <br> January 11, 1895
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|17
|-
!17
|[[File:William Francis Fitzgerald.jpg|80px]]
|[[William F. Fitzgerald]]
|[[William F. Fitzgerald]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|1895
|1899
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| January 7, 1895 <br> – <br> January 2, 1899
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|18
|-
!18
|[[File:Tirey L. Ford 220.jpg|80px]]
|[[Tirey L. Ford]]
|[[Tirey L. Ford]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|1899
|1902
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| January 4, 1899 <br> – <br> September 14, 1902
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|19
|-
!19
|[[File:Ulysses Sigel Webb 1903.jpg|80px]]
|[[Ulysses S. Webb]]
|[[Ulysses S. Webb]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|1902
|1939
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| September 15, 1902 <br> – <br> January 3, 1939
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|20
|-
!20
|[[File:Earl Warren, 1946.jpg|80px]]
|[[Earl Warren]]
|[[Earl Warren]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|1939
|1943
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| January 3, 1939 <br> – <br> January 4, 1943
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|21
|-
!21
|[[File:Robert W. Kenny, 1943.jpg|80px]]
|[[Robert W. Kenny]]
|[[Robert W. Kenny]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|1943
|1947
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| January 4, 1943 <br> – <br> January 5, 1947
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|22
|-
!22
|[[File:Frederick N. Howser, 1943.jpg|80px]]
|[[Frederick N. Howser]]
|[[Frederick N. Howser]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|1947
|1951
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| January 5, 1947 <br> – <br> January 8, 1951
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|23
|-
!23
|[[File:Pat Brown, 1954.jpg|80px]]
|[[Pat Brown]]
|[[Pat Brown]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|1951
|1959
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| January 8, 1951 <br> – <br> January 5, 1959
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|24
|-
!24
|[[File:Stanley Mosk, 1963.jpg|80px]]
|[[Stanley Mosk]]
|[[Stanley Mosk]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|1959
|1964
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| January 5, 1959 <br> – <br> August 31, 1964
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|25
|-
!25
|[[File:Thomas C. Lynch, 1967.jpg|80px]]
|[[Thomas C. Lynch]]
|[[Thomas C. Lynch]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|1964
|1971
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| August 31, 1964 <br> – <br> January 4, 1971
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|26
|-
!26
|[[File:Evelle J. Younger, 1971.jpg|80px]]
|[[Evelle J. Younger]]
|[[Evelle J. Younger]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|1971
|1979
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| January 4, 1971 <br> – <br> January 8, 1979
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|27
|-
!27
|[[File:George Deukmejian, 1975.jpg|80px]]
|[[George Deukmejian]]
|[[George Deukmejian]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|1979
|1983
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| January 8, 1979 <br> – <br> January 3, 1983
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|28
|-
!28
|[[File:John Van de Kamp (1).jpg|80px]]
|[[John Van de Kamp]]
|[[John Van de Kamp]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|1983
|1991
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| January 3, 1983 <br> – <br> January 7, 1991
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
|29
|-
!29
|[[File:Dan Lungren (3x4a).jpg|80px]]
|[[Dan Lungren]]
|[[Dan Lungren]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|1991
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|1999
| January 7, 1991 <br> – <br> January 4, 1999
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|-
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|30
!30
|[[File:Bill-Lockyer.jpg|80px]]
|[[Bill Lockyer]]
|[[Bill Lockyer]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|1999
|2007
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| January 4, 1999 <br> – <br> January 8, 2007
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|31
|-
!31
|[[File:Edmund G Brown Jr (3x4).jpg|80px]]
|[[Jerry Brown]]
|[[Jerry Brown]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|2007
|2011
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| January 8, 2007 <br> – <br> January 3, 2011
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|32
|-
!32
|[[File:Kamala Harris Official Attorney General Photo (cropped).jpg|80px]]
|[[Kamala Harris]]
|[[Kamala Harris]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|2011
|2017
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| January 3, 2011 <br> – <br> January 3, 2017
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|33
|-
!33
|[[File:Xavier Becerra official portrait (cropped).jpg|80px]]
|[[Xavier Becerra]]
|[[Xavier Becerra]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|2017
|2021
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| January 24, 2017 <br> – <br> March 18, 2021
|-
|-
!34
|- {{party shading/Democratic}}
|[[File:Rob Bonta official portrait (cropped).jpg|101x101px]]
|34
|[[Rob Bonta]]
|[[Rob Bonta]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |
|2021
|Present
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| April 23, 2021 <br> – <br> ''Incumbent''
|}
|}


==See also==
;Major other offices held
* [[Impeachment in California]]

*[[Xavier Becerra]] (2017–2021) – 25th [[United States Secretary of Health and Human Services|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)
*[[George Deukmejian]] (1979–1983) – 35th Governor of California (1983–1991)
*[[William F. Fitzgerald]] (1895–1899) – [[Associate Justice]] of the [[Supreme Court of California|California Supreme Court]] (1893–1895); Associate Justice of the Arizona Territorial Supreme Court (1884–1885)
*[[Kamala Harris]] (2011–2017) – 49th [[Vice President of the United States]] (2021–present); [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] from California (2017–2021)
*[[Serranus Clinton Hastings|S. Clinton Hastings]] (1852–1854) – 1st [[Chief Justice of California]] (1849–1851); 3rd Chief Justice of the [[Iowa Supreme Court]] (1848–1849)
*[[Bill Lockyer]] (1999–2007) – 32nd [[California State Treasurer]] (2007–2015); 46th [[President pro tempore of the California State Senate]] (1994–1998)
*[[John G. McCullough]] (1863–1867) – 49th [[Governor of Vermont]] (1902–1904)
*[[James A. McDougall]] (1850–1851) – U.S. Senator from California (1861–1867); 14th [[Illinois Attorney General]] (1843–1846)
*[[Stanley Mosk]] (1959–1964) – Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court (1964–2001)
*[[William T. Wallace]] (1856–1858) – 12th Chief Justice of California (1872–1879); Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court (1871–1872)
*[[Earl Warren]] (1939–1943) – 14th [[Chief Justice of the United States]] (1953–1969); 30th Governor of California (1943–1953)
*[[Ulysses S. Webb]] (1902–1939) – longest serving at 37 years


==References==
==References==
Line 290: Line 313:
{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}


[[Category:California Attorneys General| ]]
[[Category:California attorneys general| ]]
[[Category:State law enforcement agencies of California|Attorney General]]
[[Category:State law enforcement agencies of California|Attorney General]]
[[Category:California law-related lists]]

Latest revision as of 00:42, 9 November 2024

Attorney General of California
Seal of the attorney general of California
State flag
Incumbent
Rob Bonta
since April 23, 2021
Government of California
Department of Justice
StyleThe Honorable
Term lengthFour years, two term limit
Inaugural holderEdward J. C. Kewen
1849
FormationCalifornia Constitution
Salary$151,127
Websiteoag.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). The California attorney general carries out the responsibilities of the office through the California Department of Justice. The department employs over 1,100 attorneys and 3,700 non-attorney employees.[citation needed]

The California attorney general is elected to a four-year term, with a maximum of two terms. The election is held during the same statewide election for the governor and other state offices. Several attorneys general have gone on to higher office or office on the federal level, including the offices of governor, United States Senator, chief justice of the United States Supreme Court, and vice president of the United States.

On March 24, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he would be appointing Rob Bonta as attorney general to succeed Xavier Becerra, who resigned from the position to become Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden. Bonta's appointment was subject to confirmation by both houses of the California State Legislature, and he was sworn in on April 23, 2021.[1][2][3]

Duties

[edit]
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.[4]
  • Heads the Department of Justice, which is responsible for providing state legal services and support for local law enforcement.[5]
  • Acts as the chief counsel in state litigation.[6]
  • Oversees law enforcement agencies, including district attorneys and sheriffs.[4]

History

[edit]

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,[7] sponsored by Alameda County District Attorney Earl Warren as 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.[8] Warren went on to become attorney general himself in 1938, reorganizing's the state's law enforcement into districts.

Under Robert W. Kenny, the office was complicit in the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, a position it has since apologized for.[9]

Diversity

[edit]

List of attorneys general of California

[edit]
No. Portrait Name Party Term
1 Edward J. C. Kewen Democratic 1849
–
1850
2 James A. McDougall Democratic 1850
–
1851
3 Serranus C. Hastings Democratic January 5, 1852
–
January 2, 1854
4 John R. McConnell Democratic 1854
–
1856
5 William M. Stewart Democratic June 7, 1853
–
December 1853
(acting)
6 William T. Wallace American January 1856
–
January 1858
7 Thomas H. Williams Democratic 1858
–
1862
8 Frank M. Pixley Republican 1862
–
1863
9 John G. McCullough Republican 1863
–
1867
10 Jo Hamilton Democratic December 5, 1867
–
December 8, 1871
11 John L. Love Republican December 8, 1871
–
December 9, 1875
12 Jo Hamilton Democratic December 9, 1875
–
January 8, 1880
13 Augustus L. Hart Republican January 8, 1880
–
January 10, 1883
14 Edward C. Marshall Democratic January 10, 1883
–
January 8, 1887
15 George A. Johnson Democratic January 8, 1887
–
January 8, 1891
16 William H. H. Hart Republican January 8, 1891
–
January 11, 1895
17 William F. Fitzgerald Republican January 7, 1895
–
January 2, 1899
18 Tirey L. Ford Republican January 4, 1899
–
September 14, 1902
19 Ulysses S. Webb Republican September 15, 1902
–
January 3, 1939
20 Earl Warren Republican January 3, 1939
–
January 4, 1943
21 Robert W. Kenny Democratic January 4, 1943
–
January 5, 1947
22 Frederick N. Howser Republican January 5, 1947
–
January 8, 1951
23 Pat Brown Democratic January 8, 1951
–
January 5, 1959
24 Stanley Mosk Democratic January 5, 1959
–
August 31, 1964
25 Thomas C. Lynch Democratic August 31, 1964
–
January 4, 1971
26 Evelle J. Younger Republican January 4, 1971
–
January 8, 1979
27 George Deukmejian Republican January 8, 1979
–
January 3, 1983
28 John Van de Kamp Democratic January 3, 1983
–
January 7, 1991
29 Dan Lungren Republican January 7, 1991
–
January 4, 1999
30 Bill Lockyer Democratic January 4, 1999
–
January 8, 2007
31 Jerry Brown Democratic January 8, 2007
–
January 3, 2011
32 Kamala Harris Democratic January 3, 2011
–
January 3, 2017
33 Xavier Becerra Democratic January 24, 2017
–
March 18, 2021
34 Rob Bonta Democratic April 23, 2021
–
Incumbent

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Rob Bonta, Bay Area Democratic lawmaker, appointed California attorney general". Los Angeles Times. March 24, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  2. ^ Hubler, Shawn (March 24, 2021). "Rob Bonta, an Asian-American Progressive, Is Named Attorney General in California". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  3. ^ "Attorney General Rob Bonta". State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General. December 21, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  4. ^ a b California Constitution, Article V, Section 13 Archived January 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ California Government Code §15000
  6. ^ California Code of Civil Procedure §401
  7. ^ "History of Initiative and Referendum in California". Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  8. ^ "Proposition 4 (1934)". Propositions. January 1934.
  9. ^ Reports, Rafu (August 15, 2023). "Bonta Issues Apology Acknowledging Complicity of State Attorney General's Office in Incarceration of JAs". Rafu Shimpo. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  10. ^ Thurber, Jon; Dolan, Maura (June 20, 2001). "Stanley Mosk, State's Senior Justice, Dies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  11. ^ Dick, Jason (August 12, 2020). "'It's just history': Kamala Harris as the VP nominee". CQ Roll Call. FiscalNote. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  12. ^ "Attorney General Xavier Becerra". Office of the Attorney General. State of California Department of Justice. December 21, 2010. Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  13. ^ "Governor Newsom Swears in Rob Bonta as Attorney General of California". Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. April 23, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Attorney_General_of_California&oldid=1256254320"