Petitions are those in which inmates may collaterally challenge their convictions (after exhausting all available state remedies to do so) by arguing that their trial was constitutionally defective.

I believe the answer is: Habeas corpus

Habeas corpus petition would eventually develop into a legal battle between the  states vs the defendants, and would be considered to be a civil class action. This type of petittion usually occurs when there is a proof that a certan legal departement is abusing its power of there is a new development regarding an interpretation of law.

The answer to your question is the lobbyists. They are the people who represent interest groups to legislators. The lobbyist's role is to try to influence a government official's decision specifically legislators or the members of the regulatory agencies.