The California Attorney General is the state's "chief legal officer".  Cal. Const. Art. V, § 13.  One of the Attorney General's statutory duties is to provide written legal opinions.  Cal. Gov't Code § 12519.  Not everyone, however, is entitled to the Attorney General's opinion.  The Attorney General is permitted only to provide opinions only to specified categories of persons - generally, state constitutional officers, legislators, state agencies, and certain county and city officials. Id.  

While a private citizen is not on the list of recipients, one might ask his or her state senator or assembly member to submit a request.  However, not all such requests may be honored.  The statute requires the Attorney General to render opinions to specified persons “relating to their respective offices.”   

For more information, see the Attorney General's guidelines and FAQs.