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MIAMI A
Warning
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Warning
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LSDefine
Simple English definitions for legal terms
Public corruption
Read a random definition: Uniform Health-Care Decision Act
A quick definition of Public corruption:
Public corruption is when people who work for the government, like politicians or other officials, do things that they are not supposed to do. This can include taking things that they are not supposed to take, or doing things that they are not supposed to do, in exchange for money or other things that they want. This is against the law and is called a white-collar crime.
A more thorough explanation:
Public corruption
Public corruption is when government officials, whether elected, appointed, or hired, abuse their power and break the trust of the public. This can happen when they ask for or accept something of value in exchange for doing something they shouldn't do or not doing something they should do. This is against the law and is also known as white-collar crime.
- A police officer takes a bribe to not give someone a ticket.
- A government official accepts money from a company in exchange for giving them a contract.
- A judge gives a lighter sentence to someone who gave them a gift.
These examples show how government officials can use their power for personal gain instead of doing what is right for the public. This is illegal and can harm the trust people have in their government.