Discussion Post

Introduction

The issue of the criminal liability of corporate leaders and executives has been raised in several recent high profile cases. Under the doctrine of vicarious liability, corporate leadership is sometimes responsible for the actions of those who serve under them.

Initial Post Instructions

Assume that a corporation decides to dump tons of hazardous materials from their waste products into the local waterway. The dumping violates all laws and administrative agency standards and is done negligently. Eventually, after a series of unexplained deaths and lingering illnesses in the local community, the company's actions are discovered.

Determine who is liable. Is it the workers who secretly dumped the hazardous waste into the river? Is it the supervisors and managers of the employees who did the dumping? Or should liability be imposed on the corporate officers or even the president of the company?

Identify what crime(s) has(ve) been committed? Identify the legal concepts of criminal liability, and describe the type of evidence needed to charge a responsible person. Finally, describe the biggest challenges to corporate liability.

Secondary Post Instructions

Critically examine the initial posts of your peers. Do you agree or disagree with them? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the concepts presented? Are their posts different or similar to yours? Why?

Writing Requirements

• Initial Post Length: minimum of 250 words
• Using APA format, incorporate appropriate in-text citation(s) referring to the academic concept with corresponding references page for the initial post.