Attorney General of California: Difference between revisions
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→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. |
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| incumbent = [[Rob Bonta]] |
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| incumbentsince = April 23, 2021 |
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The '''attorney general of California''' is the [[state attorney general]] of the [[ |
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}} |
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The California attorney general is elected to a four-year term, with a maximum of two terms. The election is held |
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]]. |
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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> |
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> |
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*[[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> |
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*[[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. |
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*[[Kamala Harris]] was the first woman, the first [[Asian Americans|Asian |
*[[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> |
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*[[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> |
*[[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> |
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*[[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> |
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|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |
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[[Category:California |
[[Category:California attorneys general| ]] |
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[[Category:State law enforcement agencies of California|Attorney General]] |
[[Category:State law enforcement agencies of California|Attorney General]] |
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[[Category:California law-related lists]] |
[[Category:California law-related lists]] |
Latest revision as of 00:42, 9 November 2024
Attorney General of California | |
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since April 23, 2021 | |
Government of California Department of Justice | |
Style | The Honorable |
Term length | Four years, two term limit |
Inaugural holder | Edward J. C. Kewen 1849 |
Formation | California Constitution |
Salary | $151,127 |
Website | oag |
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]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]- Stanley Mosk was the first adherent of Judaism to hold the office.[10]
- George Deukmejian was the first Armenian American to hold the office.
- Kamala Harris was the first woman, the first Asian American to hold the office.[11]
- Xavier Becerra was the first Latino to hold the office.[12]
- Rob Bonta is the first Filipino American to hold the office.[13]
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]- ^ "Rob Bonta, Bay Area Democratic lawmaker, appointed California attorney general". Los Angeles Times. March 24, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Attorney General Rob Bonta". State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General. December 21, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ a b California Constitution, Article V, Section 13 Archived January 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ California Government Code §15000
- ^ California Code of Civil Procedure §401
- ^ "History of Initiative and Referendum in California". Retrieved September 10, 2018.
- ^ "Proposition 4 (1934)". Propositions. January 1934.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Thurber, Jon; Dolan, Maura (June 20, 2001). "Stanley Mosk, State's Senior Justice, Dies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
- ^ Dick, Jason (August 12, 2020). "'It's just history': Kamala Harris as the VP nominee". CQ Roll Call. FiscalNote. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Governor Newsom Swears in Rob Bonta as Attorney General of California". Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. April 23, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- California Attorney General articles at ABA Journal
- News and Commentary at FindLaw