Misconduct: wilful transgression of definite rules, distinct from negligence, including unlawful acts or failures in public duties. Misconduct denotes a wilful transgression of an established and definite rule or a forbidden act, implying wrongful intention and excluding mere negligence or carelessness. Misconduct in office describes unlawful behaviour or neglect by a public officer related to official duties, including unauthorized acts, improper performance, or failures to act where there is an affirmative duty; characterization depends on the duty's nature and whether the conduct was wilful rather than negligent.