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Attorney General of California

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Attorney General of California
Seal of the Attorney General of California
Incumbent
Kamala Harris
since January 3, 2011
Department of Justice
StyleThe Honorable
Term lengthFour years, two term limit
Inaugural holderEdward J. C. Kewen
1849
FormationCalifornia Constitution
Salary$151,127
WebsiteOffice of the Attorney General
The California Attorney General's main office in Sacramento is housed in this building

The Attorney General of California is the State Attorney General of California. 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 Department employs over 1,100 attorneys (meaning that the AG supervises the governmental equivalent of a law firm much larger than the vast majority of U.S. private law firms) and 3,700 non-attorney employees.

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 Kamala Harris, a former San Francisco District Attorney, who has made mortgage relief a significant priority. With Harris' election to the United States Senate, the office will become vacant effective January 3, 2017.

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.[1]

Notable attorneys general from California

For a comprehensive list, see List of Attorneys General of California.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b California Constitution, Article V, Section 13
  2. ^ California Government Code §15000
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