In the US, all criminal defendants may ask for an attorney to represent them, at no cost if they cannot afford an attorney. The defense attorney hired and provided by the government is known as the public defender. … [Read more...]

1. A service that is free and/or performed for the benefit of the members of the general public. A service provided for free to the community or citizens by the government or by private corporations (such as a regulated public utility.) 2. Employment within government. … [Read more...]

Intellectual property, such as a creative work, invention or logo that is not or no longer protected by copyright and available to be used without permission or authorization from its owner. This will frequently occur after the expiration of a copyright, patent or trademark. Something that is shared with and owned and freely used by the community for public purposes and cannot … [Read more...]

The right of the general public to use certain streets, paths and other places and spaces even though they may be owned by others. … [Read more...]

This word, used in the singular number, designates a nation at war with the United States, and includes every member of such nation. Vatt. 1. 3, c. 5, 70. To make a public enemy, the government of the foreign country must be at war with the United States; for a mob, how numerous soever it may be, or robbers, whoever they may be, are never considered as a public enemy. 2. A … [Read more...]