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Simple English definitions for legal terms
public action
Read a random definition: common appendant
A quick definition of public action:
Term: PUBLIC ACTION
Definition: Public action refers to legal proceedings taken by the government or public officials against individuals or organizations for committing crimes or public wrongs. These actions are taken to protect the interests of the public and maintain law and order. Public action is different from civil action, which is taken by individuals against other individuals for personal grievances. In Roman law, public wrongs were known as publica delicta or crimes, which were distinct from privata delicta or private wrongs.
A more thorough explanation:
Public action refers to legal proceedings initiated by the government or a public official on behalf of the public interest. It is a type of civil action that aims to protect the rights and welfare of the general public.
- A lawsuit filed by the Environmental Protection Agency against a company for violating environmental regulations is an example of public action.
- A criminal case brought by the state against an individual for committing a crime is also a form of public action.
These examples illustrate how public action is used to enforce laws and regulations that are designed to protect the public interest. In both cases, the government is taking legal action to hold individuals or companies accountable for their actions that have negative consequences for the environment or society as a whole.