Clean Water Acts

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses that, although corporate criminals still get away without severe punishment, because of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 and the Clean Water Act in 1977, they at least are being forced to comply with these laws. The author points out that big businesses, large corporations and wealthy individuals are treated differently than the average citizen under the law because these powerful interests wield power through lobby groups and political donations. The paper stresses that, since harm is the most central aspect of criminal law, the punishment against corporate criminals should be much greater.

From the Paper:

"One thing is for sure, that if an individual got caught illegally dumping old engine oil, they would face the maximum penalty under the law. It is insane. The corporations poison our environment making the world unsafe for our children, but rarely are they punished. If an individual poisons their child, the government would lock the door and throw away the key. Drug laws are a perfect example of how individuals are held more accountable under criminal law than corporate giants are. Any woman who gives birth to a premature baby is drug tested along with the baby. If the baby tests positive, the mother is charged with child abuse and the baby removed from her custody. However, thousands perhaps millions of children drink tainted water or food everyday, but the criminals in these attacks are hardly ever brought to justice."

More papers on Clean Water Acts:

• Essay # 3126 : "The History of the 1990 Clean Water Act"
• Essay # 15713 : "The Clean Water Act"
• Essay # 50096 : "Ballast Water"

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