Government includes the people and resources—as well as departments, agencies, programs, processes, laws, rules, and regulations—that define the relationship between federal, state, and local governments and their citizens. Some legal principles have a unique application when private citizens or entities interact with their governments.

In California, the relationship between the federal, state, and local governments and their citizens is governed by a complex framework of laws, rules, and regulations. This includes the U.S. Constitution, which outlines the federal structure and the powers of the federal government, and the California Constitution, which details the structure of the state government and the rights of its citizens. California has numerous state statutes and regulations that govern the operations of state and local agencies, the delivery of public services, and the conduct of government officials. The state also has laws that address the interaction between private citizens or entities and the government, such as the California Public Records Act, which provides the public with access to government records, and the Brown Act, which ensures open meetings of local legislative bodies. Additionally, there are legal principles such as sovereign immunity, which can limit the circumstances under which a government entity or its officials may be sued. However, statutes like the California Tort Claims Act provide a process for private parties to file claims against government entities under certain conditions. These laws and principles are designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in government operations and interactions with citizens.