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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 3Pt. 2Ch. 6Art. 5§ 12560 Attorney General Sheriff Oversight

§ 12560 Attorney General Sheriff Oversight

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 12560 Attorney General Sheriff Oversight

Key Takeaways

  • •The Attorney General is the boss of all the sheriffs in the state.
  • •The Attorney General can ask sheriffs for written reports about crimes and how they're handling them.
  • •If the Attorney General thinks it's important, they can tell sheriffs what to do to investigate or find crimes.
  • •The Attorney General can also tell sheriffs to serve things like subpoenas or arrest warrants.

Example

There's a big crime happening in a small town, and the local sheriff isn't doing much about it.

The Attorney General can step in and tell the sheriff exactly what to do to investigate the crime. They can also make the sheriff serve arrest warrants to the bad guys.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12560 Attorney General Sheriff Oversight

The Attorney General has direct supervision over the sheriffs of the several counties of the state, and may require of them written reports concerning the investigation, detection, and punishment of crime in their respective jurisdictions. Whenever the Attorney General deems it necessary in the public interest the Attorney General shall direct the activities of any sheriff relative to the investigation or detection of crime within the jurisdiction of the sheriff, and may direct the service of subpoenas, warrants of arrest, or other processes of court in connection therewith. (Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 104. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

Attorney Generalsheriffsinvestigationdetectioncrimesubpoenaswarrants of arrest

Related Statutes

  • § 12524 Attorney General Law Enforcement Conference
  • § 12542 Attorney General’S Delegated Counsel
  • § 12550 Attorney General Oversight Powers
  • § 12561 Attorney General Sheriff Appointments
  • § 29404 District Attorney Special Appropriation Use

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 12560.
View Official Source