Get Your Act Together: The Alternative Fines Act in Federal Prosecutions of Corporate Environmental Crimes - Joe Harmar

Year
2025
Organisation
Villanova University
Tags
environmental law
Alternative Fines Act
Corporate Crime
Legal Reform
environmental protection
Criminal Law
Sentencing
Southern Union Case
Volkswagen
PG&E
Litigation Risk
public policy
Regulation
Justice System
Legal Research
Summary

This research examines limitations of the Alternative Fines Act in prosecuting major environmental crimes. Following Southern Union Co. v. United States, complex jury requirements hinder large fines. The study proposes legal strategies to overcome this “complexity problem,” enabling stronger penalties and improving deterrence against serious corporate environmental violations.