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Punishing environmental crimes: An empirical study from lower courts to the court of appeal

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  • Carole M. Billiet
  • Thomas Blondiau
  • Sandra Rousseau

Abstract

We analyze judicial policy lines concerning the punishment of environmental crime using a unique European dataset of individual criminal cases, including case‐specific information on offenses and offenders. We investigate policy choices made by lower criminal courts, as well as their follow‐up by the relevant court of appeal. The sanctioning policy of the courts has proven to be varied as well as consistent. Judges carefully balance effective and suspended penalties, most often using them cumulatively, but in specific cases opting to use them as substitutes. Overall, both judges in lower and appeal courts balance environmental law and classic criminal law and aim at protecting individuals and their possessions as well as the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Carole M. Billiet & Thomas Blondiau & Sandra Rousseau, 2014. "Punishing environmental crimes: An empirical study from lower courts to the court of appeal," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(4), pages 472-496, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:reggov:v:8:y:2014:i:4:p:472-496
    DOI: 10.1111/rego.12044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Daniel de Abreu Pereira Uhr & Júlia Gallego Ziero Uhr & Renan Porn Peres & Manoel Gehrke & Magnum Koury de Figueiredo Eltz, 2023. "Does Reaching the Statute of Limitations Affect the Recidivist Behavior of Environmental Aggressors in Brazil?," Journal of Quantitative Criminology, Springer, vol. 39(4), pages 897-917, December.
    2. Dietrich Earnhart & Sandra Rousseau, 2024. "Sanctioning environmental offenses committed by companies: the joint use of firm and employee sanctions," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 58(1), pages 71-118, August.
    3. Anna Rita Germani & Angelo Castaldo & Alan Ker, 2024. "Carrots, sticks, and environmental crime in Italy," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 58(2), pages 201-219, October.
    4. Joshua C. Cochran & Michael J. Lynch & Elisa L. Toman & Ryan T. Shields, 2018. "Court Sentencing Patterns for Environmental Crimes: Is There a “Green” Gap in Punishment?," Journal of Quantitative Criminology, Springer, vol. 34(1), pages 37-66, March.

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