NCJ Number
125069
Journal
St John's Law Review Volume: 63 Issue: 4 Dated: (Summer 1989) Pages: 679-690
Date Published
1990
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article examines the current state of criminal enforcement of environmental clean-up statutes.
Abstract
An increase in environmental law enforcement is attributed to recent disasters such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Historical perspectives are provided that describe the evolution of environmental laws and their enforcement. Statistics are also reviewed that demonstrate the increase of indictments and convictions for environmental law violations. The increase in litigation poses problems that include addressing deficiencies in the number of enforcement officials and prosecutors to pursue violations and creation of legal methods for disposal of hazardous waste. Proposed solutions are examined. Recommendations for the private bar are also included that encourage counsel to re-specialize such that they are proficient in environmental and criminal law. Procedures are also included for advising clients how to comply with environmental regulations such that litigation can be avoided. 23 footnotes.