Environmental Crime Attorneys in Midland, TX

Environmental crimes are a growing concern for West Texans and businesses that operate out of this area. Local and federal governments are particularly diligent when investigating and prosecuting these cases. Prior to pressing charges, investigations are often carried out by the EPA, Fish and Wildlife Service, or task forces organized by other local, state, or government agencies, sometimes in conjunction with one another. Afterward, these crimes may be tried by federal prosecutors, such as the Environmental Crimes Section (ECS) lawyers, or settled out of court in a plea agreement. If the case does go to trial, guilty individuals may face incarceration, and individuals and corporations can both be ordered to pay extremely steep fines and restitution.

Criminal charges typically depend on whether it can be shown that the alleged offender acted knowingly or intentionally. This is called “criminal intent.” Criminal intent can sometimes include falsification of records and attempts to cover up violations. Unfortunately, however, many individuals are charged with these crimes despite not knowing their activities were criminal offenses. They can be especially vulnerable to harsh prosecution if they don’t have access to effective legal representation.

If you or your business has been charged with an environmental crime, we invite you to work with our attorneys at Wolf, Stallings & Mayo. We serve Midland-Odessa and the surrounding areas, including Howard, Reagan, Upton, Winkler, Martin, and Ward counties.

Contact us to schedule a free consultation with our environmental crime lawyers in Midland.

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If you need a good criminal attorney I would definitely look into hiring Wolf, Stallings & Mayo.
John and Andrew's hard work spared us the trauma, time, humiliations and yes, money, that a trial would have brought. They are still doing some work on expungement for me on my case, and there is absolutely nobody I would trust more.
- Kristy M.
I'm glad I chose them to help me with my case!
Andrew van der Hoeven is such an awesome attorney! He helped me get my brother-in-law's case done in less than a month. He is an awesome person, he is patient with you, he works with you, and he explains what's going on.
- Gelasia M.
I recommend this firm to anyone, regardless how big or small your case is.
Nothing serious, just a traffic ticket but as a CDL holder it was worth it to fight the ticket. Tyler Mayo did an exceptional job and I was found Not Guilty!
- Rodney S.

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Have You Committed an Environmental Crime in West Texas?

General Environmental Crimes

General environmental crimes encompass any activity that adversely affects local ecosystems and, as a result, threatens public health or safety, or otherwise degrades the environment beyond what’s allowed by government agencies. Anyone found guilty of committing one or more environmental offenses could incur direct civil penalties and criminal charges.

These activities include but are not limited to:

Burning debris at unapproved sites
Conducting illegal clear-cutting operations
Disposing of hazardous materials in unequipped landfills
Diverting municipal stormwater runoff away from authorized drainage channels
Littering
Over-harvesting fish
Releasing toxic substances onto farmland
Running illegal commercial hunting operations

Illegal Dumping

Illegal dumping is defined as the disposal of waste at a location where it does not belong. This includes the disposal of waste on public property, such as in parks, along the side of the road, storm drains, in bodies of water (rivers, lakes, etc.), or on private property without permission from the landowner. Not only is illegal dumping a violation of state law (and sometimes federal law), but it can also lead to contaminated drinking water supplies or polluted ecosystems. In addition, large illegal dumps may result in higher costs to local governments, who frequently bear the initial responsibility for clean-up efforts. In these situations, or if individuals and communities were adversely affected by the crime, civil and criminal penalties could include restitution payments.

Clean Air Act Violations

Violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) occur when companies release harmful pollutants into the air without first obtaining an emissions permit from their state government. Violators could face fines from the EPA for exceeding limits established by the CAA, in addition to criminal sentences.

Common pollutants that risk violating the CAA when handled improperly are:

Ozone-depleting substances (ODS)
Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Sulfur oxides (Sox)
Nitrox oxides (NOx)
Ammonia
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Lead (Pb)
Mercury (Hg)
Asbestos fibers
Coal combustion residuals or “coal ash” (CCR)
Any air pollutants known to cause cancer or respiratory diseases

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Clean Water Act Violations

Violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) happen when an individual or company releases any form of pollution into the country’s water supply that has the potential to make it unfit for consumption or recreational use. Common pollutants are raw sewage, fertilizer runoff from farmlands, oil spills caused by drilling-related activities or oil transportation, industrial chemicals discharged without proper treatment, agricultural chemicals, and more. Violations frequently occur because the alleged offenders did not seek authorization from the relevant state or federal agency that authorizes the disposal.

Fighting Environmental Crime Charges Throughout West Texas

If you have been charged with an environmental crime, Wolf, Stallings & Mayo is here to help. Our attorneys are familiar with the state and federal laws that regulate environmental offenses, and we will work with you to determine how these laws apply to the specific facts of your case. Furthermore, as experienced negotiators and trial lawyers, we can also help pursue a plea agreement or provide you with representation in the courtroom. Whether your case calls for your criminal charges to be dropped or a reduction of penalties, we will diligently work toward the best possible resolution for your circumstances.

Call (432) 237-3530 to discuss your charges with our Midland environmental crime lawyers at Wolf, Stallings & Mayo.

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