U.S. Department
of Justice
Environmental Crimes Section
About the Section
The Environmental Crimes Section (ECS) brings criminal cases against individuals and corporations that have violated laws designed to protect the environment, worker safety, and animal welfare. The Section brings cases in all ninety-four federal judicial districts, provides advice and training to other prosecutors and investigators, and coordinates with ENRD’s Law and Policy Section on policy and legislative matters.
The Section works closely with Assistant U.S. Attorneys and criminal investigators from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Fish and Wildlife Service regarding violations of environmental statutes. The Section works closely with statutes including the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Animal Welfare Act, and the Lacey Act.
- Protect our environment and natural resources, ensure the health and safety of our citizens, and safeguard animal welfare through criminal enforcement of the law.
- Prosecute and seek just punishment and remediation for those guilty of unlawful behavior.
- Provide leadership in investigating and deterring pollution, wildlife, animal welfare, and worker safety crime.
The Environmental Crimes Section brings criminal prosecutions against individuals and businesses under the nation’s animal protection laws that provide for the humane treatment of animals. For example, ECS works closely with investigative agencies to develop evidence to support prosecutions of individuals involved in dog fighting.
The Environmental Crimes Section brings and supports cases under a broad array of statutes that protect our nation’s ecosystems from uncontrolled pollution. Criminal enforcement ensures individuals and businesses who intentionally disregard environmental statues are held responsible for their conduct.
Environmental Crimes Section’s forty-three prosecutors and twelve support staff bring criminal cases against individuals and organizations that break the laws that protect our nation’s ecological and wildlife resources. ECS attorneys bring cases throughout all ninety-four federal judicial districts, provide advice and training to other prosecutors and investigators, and coordinate with ENRD’s Law and Policy Section on policy and legislative matters.
The Environmental Crimes Section works with the Department of Labor and U.S. Attorneys across the country to safeguard the lives of American workers. To prevent and deter crimes that put the lives of workers at risk, ECS brings and supports prosecutions of worker endangerment violations under worker safety, Title 18, and environmental statutes.