Handbook of Public Administration, 3rd Edition

Chapter 34Understanding Your Liability as a Public Administrator

Stephanie P. Newbold

Public administrators in the United States and around the world must understand how their professional decision making affects the citizens for whom they serve. More so than at any other time, reviewing courts are increasing public administrators' liability when they violate or undermine the individual or constitutional rights of citizens or when the government fails to provide essential public services for which they are charged to perform. One of the most important ways the field of public administration can professionalize the practice of public administration is by drawing attention to issues of professional liability. Avoiding lawsuits is a critical ...