The Increasing Application of Criminal Law in Disasters and Tragedies: A Global Phenomenon

Abstract

Prosecutors have become aggressive in recent years in bringing criminal prosecutions of those they believe responsible either in creating or aggravating disasters and tragedies. Even large natural disasters usually contain elements of human error. The defendants include corporations, corporate officers, employees, government officials, such as regulators. These occur in both civil law and common law jurisdictions on a variety of theories.

Keywords: Criminal Prosecutions, Crimes, Disasters, Tragedies, Corporate Liabilty, Vicarious Liability, Responsible Corporate Officials, Government Regulators, Inspector Liability