Legal Definitions - public law

Public law refers to the body of law that deals with the relationship between the government and private individuals, as well as the structure and operation of the government itself. It includes constitutional law, criminal law, and administrative law.

For example, a federal law that affects the general public, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, is considered a public law. These laws are first published in Statutes at Large and eventually collected by subject in the U.S. Code.

Public law is important because it helps to regulate the actions of the government and protect the rights of individuals. It ensures that the government operates within the bounds of the law and that citizens are treated fairly and justly.