Environmental Crime Defense

Overview

Environmental crimes under Czech criminal law include illegal disposal of waste, pollution of water or soil, illegal felling of protected trees, violations of rules on the handling of hazardous substances, and damage to protected areas or animal populations. These offenses can be committed by individuals but are often attributed to companies and their management.

Environmental crime investigations typically involve expert evidence on the extent and effects of the alleged damage, complex regulatory frameworks, and coordination between criminal police and environmental inspectors. The regulatory context — national and EU environmental law — is an important part of the defense.

Our Representation

We represent clients in environmental crime proceedings at all stages. Our legal assistance includes:

• advice when environmental inspectors or police begin an investigation
• review of expert reports on environmental damage
• challenging the legal basis for criminal liability
• defense in illegal waste, pollution, and hazardous substance cases
• representation for company executives charged with environmental offenses
• coordination with environmental experts and regulatory advisors
• full trial representation and appeal

We combine our knowledge of criminal procedure with an understanding of the regulatory environment to build a defense that addresses both the legal and technical aspects of environmental crime cases.

Foreign Clients

Foreign companies with operations in Czech Republic are sometimes subject to environmental crime investigations involving their Czech facilities or management. We advise foreign clients in English, Polish, French, and German.