Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Governmental malfeance, malfeance, conspiracy, etc

Is there anything a citizen can do if

he believes that a govermental

official or department is ignoring the

law, or even actively acting to defy or

circumvent it? If I were a lawyer, or

even a policeman, I could come up

with a string of possible reasons for

prosecution (misfeasance,

malfeasance, conspiracy, etc,), but I

don't know if any of them really

apply or could usefully be invoked in

the real world. Just how much

latitude do the authorities have for

ignoring a given law? Perhaps this is

too complicated an issue to answer

with an e-mail message. If so, I

would appreciate some guidance as

to where I might look to study the

matter in greater detail.


Asked on 6/06/07, 6:21 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: Governmental malfeance, malfeance, conspiracy, etc

This is way too general of a question to be answerable.

However, individual citizens can sue if a government official or employee violates their civil rights (for example, Rodney King getting beaten upside the head). If a citizen is aware of malfeasance involving money, such as someone filing false claims for money against a federal, state, or local government entity, there are "bounty hunter" laws that can provide a reward to the citizen. Both of these types of cases are best handled by experienced attorneys.

As to more generalized grievances, you can write letters to the editor, make documentary films, protest, speak at your local city council or board of supervisors meeting, write to your elected representatives, run for office yourself, and/or volunteer to work in the campaign of a candidate whom you support.

Read more
Answered on 6/06/07, 6:40 pm


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