Attorney General of California (2007–2011) Jerry Brown

brown in 2009

in 2004, brown expressed interest candidate democratic nomination attorney general of california in 2006 election, , in may 2004, formally filed run. defeated democratic primary opponent, los angeles city attorney rocky delgadillo, 63% 37%. in general election, brown defeated republican state senator charles poochigian 56.3% 38.2%, 1 of largest margins of victory in statewide california race. in final weeks leading election day, brown s eligibility run attorney general challenged in brown called political stunt republican office seeker (contra costa county republican central committee chairman , state gop vice-chair candidate tom del beccaro). plaintiffs claimed brown did not meet eligibility according california government code §12503, no person shall eligible office of attorney general unless shall have been admitted practice before supreme court of state period of @ least 5 years preceding election or appointment such office. legal analysts called lawsuit frivolous because brown admitted practice law in state of california on june 14, 1965, , had been admitted practice ever since. although ineligible practice law because of voluntary inactive status in state bar of california january 1, 1997 may 1, 2003, nevertheless still admitted practice. because of difference case thrown out.

as attorney general, brown represented state in fighting death penalty appeals , stated follow law, regardless of personal beliefs against capital punishment. capital punishment lethal injection halted in california federal judge jeremy d. fogel until new facilities , procedures put place. brown moved resume capital punishment in 2010 execution of albert greenwood brown after lifting of statewide moratorium california court. brown s democratic campaign, pledged enforce laws of california, denied connection between case , gubernatorial election. prosecutor rod pacheco, supported republican opponent meg whitman, said unfair accuse jerry brown of using execution political gain never discussed case.

in june 2008, brown filed fraud lawsuit claiming mortgage lender countrywide financial engaged in unfair , deceptive practices homeowners apply risky mortgages far beyond means. brown accused lender of breaking state s laws against false advertising , unfair business practices. lawsuit claimed defendant misled many consumers misinforming them workings of mortgages such adjustable-rate mortgages, interest-only loans, low-documentation loans , home-equity loans while telling borrowers able refinance before interest rate on loans adjusted. suit settled in october 2008 after bank of america acquired countrywide. settlement involved modifying of troubled predatory loans $8.4 billion.

proposition 8, contentious voter-approved amendment state constitution banned same-sex marriage upheld in may 2009 california supreme court. in august 2010, u.s. district court northern district of california ruled proposition 8 violated due process , equal protection clauses of fourteenth amendment united states constitution. brown , republican governor arnold schwarzenegger both declined appeal ruling. state appeals court declined order men defend proposition , scheduled hearing in december see if there legal standing appeal walker s ruling .