What is malfeasance in office?

Prepare for the Georgia Psychology Jurisprudence Exam. Study with multiple choice questions and detailed answers. Enhance your knowledge and gain confidence for your test!

Malfeasance in office specifically refers to the commission of unlawful acts by a public official while performing their duties. This term denotes actions taken that are not only improper but also illegal, thereby breaching the trust placed in the public official and potentially causing harm to individuals or the public at large. Such acts can range from corruption to abuses of power, highlighting a significant departure from both legal and ethical standards that govern public service.

Understanding this definition helps clarify why the concept is focused on unlawful activity rather than mere failure to perform duties, ethical violations, or negligence, which imply different categories of wrongdoing. The idea behind malfeasance is that it involves an action – a wrongdoing – that is intrinsically against the law, contrasting with other forms of misconduct that may not necessarily involve illegalities.

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