Public Rights Division, Section Descriptions

Division of Public Rights | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

Division of Public Rights | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General Skip to main content Division of Public Rights Home Careers Career Opportunities Division of Public Rights The mission of the Division of Public Rights is to safeguard the state’s environment, lands, and natural resources; maintain competitive markets; prevent fraudulent business practices; protect consumers; monitor Indian and Gaming practices; preserve charitable assets, and protect the civil rights of all Californians. Our Division is organized into the following twelve sections: Antitrust Section enforces state and federal antitrust laws, including challenges to anticompetitive corporate mergers and acquisitions. Charitable Trusts Section has jurisdiction over charitable organizations, trustees, and fundraising professionals operating in California. Civil Rights Enforcement Section protects and promotes the civil rights of all people in California in a broad array of subject areas, including civil liberties, children's rights, constitutional policing, immigrant rights, and workers’ rights. Consumer Protection Section enforces laws that protect Californians against unlawful, unfair and deceptive trade practices, false advertising, and privacy violations. Corporate Fraud Section investigates and prosecutes cases involving energy, securities and commodities fraud, and fraud and other financial wrongdoing perpetrated against the state. It brings complex prosecutions under a wide range of statutes, including the Unfair Competition Law, the California False Claims Act, and Corporate Securities and Commodities Laws. Environment Section enforces state and federal environmental laws affecting California’s natural resources, its communities and public health. Healthcare Rights and Access Section safeguards and promotes the public’s right to equitable, affordable, quality healthcare, including defending women’s reproductive rights, preventing anticompetitive or unfair business activities, protecting patient privacy rights, and holding the tobacco industry accountable. Native American and Tribal Affairs Section consults with, advises, and represents the Governor and the State in connection with tribal-state compact negotiations and litigation. It advises and represents the Department of Justice Bureau of Gambling Control and the Gambling Control Commission in administrative and judicial proceedings and other state agencies on Indian law issues. Land Use and Conservation Section handles litigation involving lands owned and administered by the state, advises and handles litigation for agencies that regulate natural resources, and advises and handles litigation for land conservancies. Natural Resources Section represents state agencies responsible for enforcing and administering laws and programs that protect California’s environment and natural resources. Police Practices Section The Police Practices Section conducts civil investigations into whether a law enforcement agency has engaged in a pattern and practice of violating state or federal law. The Section is also charged through Assembly Bill 1506, as enacted in Government Code section 12525, subdivision (c)(1), to conduct police shooting reviews and reviews of law enforcement agencies use of force policies. Worker Rights and Fair Labor Section defends California workers and legitimate competition in the State by investigating and prosecuting employers and others who violate minimum labor standards, endanger workplace health and safety, or otherwise subject workers to unlawful working conditions. The unit targets and seeks to remedy systemic unlawful business practices to improve the lives of working Californians and their families.