'Team approach will help render justice'

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MARCH 20. A high level of commitment and a team approach coupled with a specific deadline in rendering justice is helping the US in enforcing environmental protection laws, according to Ms. Claire Whitney, senior counsel, Environmental Crimes Section, US Department of Justice.

Addressing a lecture-discussion on ``Development and enforcement of environmental criminal laws in the US,'' organised at the Press Club here on Tuesday, Ms. Whitney said those who flouted the law got a minimum of two to five years in jail. In some cases, wherein someone's life was endangered, the term could be up to 15 years.

Ms. Whitney said a team approach in ensuring justice served the purpose. Repeat violations of the laws or deliberate floutings by people were slapped with criminal charges. The legal process was aided by specific deadlines. The provision of just one more Court of Appeals, apart from the lower courts, helped in speedier disposal of the cases. The Supreme Court in the US only took up far more serious cases. Hence the justice system worked fairly well, she said.

Ms. Whitney said even a disgruntled employee could be the source of information for filing criminal cases against flouting of environmental rules and a committed attitude towards any complaint ensured serious proceedings. She said her department adopted a more proactive approach and it encouraged people to talk about others.

She assured that individual responsibilities were not traded off for corporate liabilities. Mr. R. Madison Conoley, Vice-Consul for Public Affairs, US Consulate, Chennai, moderated the proceedings.

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