In addition to laws, members of government are also responsible for upholding ethical standards in their personal conduct and within the operating system of government in all areas.  Ethics act as an ideal to strive for while promoting power to be used for public good rather than personal gain.  

Lawsuits can be filed over government ethics violations, though they often require showing the violation also breached a law, constitutional right, or specific statute.  While ethics violations may lead to internal investigations, lawsuits are possible for acts like bribery, conflict of interest, or civil rights violations. 

The Wisconsin Ethics Commission enforces ethics laws for state officials, candidates, and lobbyists.  It oversees state-level officials offering advice, investigates complaints, and enforces the Code of Ethics.  Local ethics violations are typically handled by local district attorneys.

Ethics are formally enforced in government through bodies like the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and Inspectors General, which investigate violations.  However, critics and watchdog groups argue that enforcement is often inconsistent, weak, or impaired by political interference, allowing many violations of ethics rules to go unpunished.

Search online to read an oath of office, code of conduct or ethics upheld by specific positions in government. The following statutes, codes and departments are a fraction of sources that share ethical guidelines imposed on public servants.

Wis Stat § 19.45 Standards of conduct; state public officials
eCFR Code of Federal Regulations
5 CFR § 2635.101 – Basic Obligation of Public Service.
5 USC Ch. 131: Ethics in Government
Executive Order 12674  –  Principles of Ethical Conduct for Government Officers and Employees
Exec Order 12674 Principles of Ethical Conduct for Government Officers and Employees
House Committee on Ethics   –  U.S. Gov
U.S Department of Interior  –  Government – Wide Ethics Laws

Taking on a position of government includes performing an oath of office.  Within Wisconsin Legislature Chapter 19 Official Oaths and Bonds, Code of Ethics for Public Officials and Employees outlines procedures performed by public servants within the state.

Violation of ethics serves as misconduct granting citizens the right to impose accountability by challenging reelections or taking legal avenues.  Ethics are honored by public servants at local, county, state and federal levels.