Which statement about public officials 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 clerk who works at a grocery store.
• C. A public official includes only elected officials.
• D. A public official excludes judges.

Answer: (A)

Public officials are people who hold or perform duties in a government office created by statute or constitutional authority. A judge of a court that is created by or under a state statute clearly fits this, because the court and the judge’s office exist because the law establishes them and authorizes the judge to exercise public judicial authority. This makes the statement true.

By contrast, a clerk who works at a grocery store is a private-sector employee and not a public official, since their duties and employer are not created by government statute. Public officials aren’t limited to elected roles—many are appointed or otherwise established by law—and judges are included, not excluded, from the category.