Which doctrine concerns whether the state or federal government can be sued?

• A. Sovereign immunity
• B. Dillon's Rule
• C. Absolute Immunity
• D. Voluntary Compliance

Answer: (A)

Sovereign immunity is the principle that a government cannot be sued without its consent. This means the state or federal government generally cannot be sued in court unless there is a waiver or permission granted by law. In practice, governments often waive immunity through statutes or the Constitution, but without that consent, lawsuits against them are typically barred. This concept directly answers whether the state or federal government can be sued, making it the best choice.

Dillon’s Rule isn’t about suing; it describes how much authority local governments have and that their powers come from the state. Absolute immunity refers to certain officials having protection from lawsuits for actions within their official duties, but it doesn’t establish the broad rule about whether the government as a whole can be sued. Voluntary Compliance isn’t a legal doctrine about lawsuits or immunity.