Criminal prosecution for environmental violations is usually applied to the most egregious and severe polluters.

Typical Environmental Violations Include

  • Intentional dumping of toxic substances without proper permits
  • Unknown leakage of toxic substances
  • Failure to maintain facilities at legal environmental levels
  • Deliberate falsification of environmental reports

When Can You be Fined or Convicted for an Environmental Violation?

  • Whenever you discharge an illegal amount of a toxic substance into the air, water, or soil, which poses a significant threat of harm to people, property or the environment
  • If the pollution or other environmental violation was done intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or negligently
  • There is a 5-year statute of limitations, which means that the government cannot prosecute you for these violations if they happened more than 5 years ago
 

Accused of an Environmental Violation?

If you are accused of an environmental violation, you should speak to a government lawyer to learn more about your rights, your defenses and the complicated legal system.

To Report an Environmental Violation

If you are aware of a person or business that is causing an environmental violation, you should contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA’s website is www.epa.gov