Chapter 7. City Attorney of California Government Code >> Division 3. >> Title 4. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 7.

The city attorney shall advise the city officials in all legal matters pertaining to city business.

The city attorney shall frame an ordinance or resolution required by the legislative body.

The city attorney shall perform other legal services required from time to time by the legislative body.

(a) With the consent of the district attorney of the county, the city attorney of any general law city or chartered city within the county may prosecute any misdemeanor committed within the city arising out of violation of state law. This section shall not be deemed to affect any of the provisions of Section 72193.
  (b) In any case in which the district attorney is granted any powers or access to information with regard to the prosecution of misdemeanors, this grant of powers or access to information shall be deemed to apply to any other officer charged with the duty of prosecuting misdemeanor charges in the state, as authorized by law.

Whenever the city attorney is acting as a prosecutor in a criminal case pursuant to any provision of law or under a city charter, he shall have the power to issue subpoenas in a like manner as the district attorney.

The city attorney shall receive such compensation as is allowed by the legislative body.

(a) A city attorney who does not, in fact, exercise prosecutorial responsibilities on behalf of the city or cities by which he or she is employed shall not be precluded from defending or assisting in the defense of, or acting as counsel for, any person accused of any crime except for violation of any ordinance of the city or cities by which he or she is employed, provided that:
  (1) The city or cities by which the city attorney is employed expressly relieve the city attorney of any and all prosecutorial responsibilities on its or their behalf; and
  (2) The accused has been informed of and expressly waives any rights created as a result of any potential conflict created by his or her attorney's position as a city attorney.
  (b) Where the above provisions are met, a partner or associate of a city attorney shall not be prevented from defending or assisting in the defense of, or acting as counsel for, any person accused of any crime except for violations of any ordinance of the city or cities by which his or her partner or associate is employed as a city attorney.
  (c) This section shall not preclude any city from limiting or prohibiting the private practice of any attorney it retains or employs.