Criminal Liability of Legal Entities in Environmental Crimes Stephanie Asquini

Abstract

The objective of this study was to present and reveal the aspects related to the problem involving the criminal liability of legal entities in environmental crimes. The aim was to demonstrate that, although the environment constitutes a diffuse right, it is currently under threat, given the unbridled development of society, with the accelerated growth of industries that generate large quantities of waste and toxic pollutants with disastrous effects on biodiversity. Although the criminal liability of legal entities is provided for by law, there are still different understandings on the subject, sometimes admitting and sometimes not admitting this form of liability. The aim was to emphasize the importance of state reprimand to legal entities for the practice of environmental crimes, understanding and seeking to reconcile the important role of legal entities in the contemporary world and the need for an ecologically balanced environment, essential to the healthy quality of life of human beings.