Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws

In California, state and federal laws create a complex set of requirements laws that guide elected officials and agency staff in their service to their communities.

As extensive and complex as these laws are, it is important to remember ethics laws only constitute minimum standards for officials’ conduct. The law is a floor for public official conduct, not a ceiling: just because a particular course of action is legal does not mean it is ethical.

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Personal Gain

Public service is about that: service. There are a variety of laws designed to prevent public servants from using their office for personal financial…

Gifts & Other Perks

In monarchies, public officials receive special privileges as a result of their positions. By contrast, the virtue of a democracy is that leaders…

Transparency Laws

In California, a number of laws enable the public and the media to obtain information about public official activities and the decision-making process…

Fair Process Laws

Local officials typically care deeply about their communities and the decisions they must make on the communities’ behalf.

Federal Ethics Laws

California has such an extensive set of laws to promote public trust and confidence in public officials that it’s easy to just focus on those. However…

Consequences for Ethics Laws Violations

Violations of California and federal ethics laws are punishable by a variety of civil, criminal and administrative penalties, depending on the…

Sample Attorney Letter Transmitting Ethics Law Information

Agency counsel plays an important role in providing information on public service ethics laws. Understanding that role (and its limitations) is…