Environmental crimes are crimes against the environment, which are usually committed by polluting air, water or land, or by destroying endangered species.

Pollution crimes include the illegal disposal of waste into waterways, the air and the ground, and are generally prosecuted when the pollution significantly damages a community's livelihood, destroys jobs and lowers property values.

The illegal taking, trafficking and trading in wild animals, plants and their parts and derivatives are also environmental crimes that are prosecuted because of the serious implications for biodiversity, ecosystems and national economies.

As environmental laws become more restrictive, there is an increasing number of environmental allegations which the FBI must investigate, usually jointly with other federal agencies such as the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Coast Guard, as well as with state regulatory agencies. The government focuses its resources on matters presenting the most serious threat to public health and natural resources, and prioritizes environmental crimes involving:

• The handling of hazardous waste and pollutants in such a way as to place workers in physical danger.
• Environmental catastrophes that devastate the environment, place entire communities at risk, or cause deaths.
• Violations at federal government facilities.
• Businesses identified by regulatory agencies as having a long-standing history of violations or flagrant disregard for environmental laws.

If you are charged with an environmental crime, you need a knowledgeable and well-respected criminal defense attorney to advocate your case in order to attain the best result.