More than two years after the worst oil disaster
in U.S. history, BP agreed in 2012 “to accept
criminal responsibility for the . . . disaster that killed 11 workers.” What
does it mean for an association to “accept criminal responsibility”? The notion
seems unwholesomely anthropomorphic, if not chimeric in nature. Taken even just
practically, holding a corporation itself criminally responsible may not be
make sense, even as a deterrent. I contend that the notion of criminality
applies only to human beings, whereas civil charges are suitable for
associations including corporations.
