Which statement about a public official is true?

• A. A public official includes a judge of a court created by or under a statute of this State.
• B. A public official includes a private consultant unaffiliated with government.
• C. A public official includes anyone employed by a private company.
• D. A public official excludes judges.

Answer: (A)

Public officials are those who hold positions of authority within the government and perform public functions. A judge of a court created by or under a statute of this State fits this, because the court is established by law and the judge exercises state judicial power. That means they are part of the government structure and subject to its duties and responsibilities. Private consultants unaffiliated with government or anyone employed by a private company aren’t public officials unless they’re carrying out government functions, which isn’t indicated here. Excluding judges would ignore their role in the judiciary and the public system. So recognizing judges as public officials is the correct understanding.