At 09:07 PM 7/26/2001 +0000, Steve Thompson wrote:
Quoting Steve Schear (schear@lvcm.com):
Would holding both the corporation and its executives libel for the same crime constitute a form of double jeopardy ;-)
I don't see how that could be. Blame and punitive sanctions are, if I am not mistaken, apportioned according to degree of culpability.
Is it possible for the injured parties to criminally prosecute the alleged
But is it practical to do so?
Grand Juries could be required to equally consider law enforcement and independent prosecutions. From a economic standpoint, if the aggrieved parties first win a big civil judgement against the companies it could fund a substantial criminal prosecution effort. It also might serve to reduce the degree of discretionary prosecutions so many decry.
offenders under federal law (i.e., substitute for the DOJ)? If not, then that is what is needed. The govenment should not enjoy a privileged position on enforcement of criminal statutes.