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 Utah, as in other states, the government is composed of three levels: federal, state, and local. Each level has its own departments, agencies, programs, processes, laws, rules, and regulations that govern the interactions between the government and its citizens. The federal government operates under the U.S. Constitution and federal law, while the state government of Utah operates under the Utah State Constitution and state statutes. Local governments, such as counties and municipalities, have their own ordinances and regulations. Legal principles that apply to interactions between private citizens or entities and the government include administrative law, which governs the actions of state and federal agencies, and constitutional law, which provides the basis for civil rights and liberties. In Utah, the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) ensures public access to government records, and the Utah Administrative Procedures Act governs the procedures of state agencies. Additionally, there are specific laws that regulate the lobbying of government officials, campaign finance, public employment, and government contracting. These laws and principles are designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in government operations and interactions with citizens.