Prosecutorial Discretion of Enforcement Attorneys
Summary
The Federal Railroad Administration is proposing a new rule that would give its enforcement attorneys more flexibility in deciding when and how to prosecute violations of railroad safety laws. This means railroad companies could face different levels of penalties depending on the circumstances, rather than facing automatic punishment for every rule break.
Key Points
- 1FRA enforcement attorneys would have more freedom to decide whether to pursue legal action against railroads for safety violations, considering factors like the severity of the offense and whether the company cooperated
- 2Railroad companies may receive warnings or reduced penalties if they quickly fix safety problems or voluntarily report violations before being caught
- 3The rule affects how railroad safety violations are enforced nationwide, potentially changing the consequences companies face for breaking the rules
- 4The public has until September 3, 2025 to submit comments and feedback about whether this increased flexibility is a good idea
- 5This could mean more consistent and fair enforcement, but critics worry it might reduce penalties for companies that repeatedly violate safety rules
Key Dates
July 1, 2025
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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