Criminal Law
Read the introductory materials for Chapter 10. Prior units dealing with civil law and informal alternatives have covered the most typical interactions a business person will have with the law. Unfortunately, some businesses and businesspeople do end up becoming involved in the criminal justice system. The last decade in the United States has produced some very prominent examples, including the investment manager Bernie Madoff and Tyco International CEO Dennis Kozlowski. White collar and other business-related crime can have a major impact on the public's perception of a business, its executives, and its employees. For ethical as well as economic reasons, it is very important for business leaders to be aware of the potential for crime in the business world and to take steps to guard themselves and their businesses against it. This section gives an overview of the issues businesspeople may face related to crime.