Why do regulatory agencies tend to choose to pursue civil rather than criminal penalties for violations?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Prosecuting environmental crimes can be challenging because it often requires proving a direct link between a corporate actor's decisions and the violation, which can be difficult due to complex corporate structures and decision-making processes. This makes civil penalties, which typically require a lower burden of proof, a more feasible option for regulatory agencies.

Why Do Regulatory Agencies Tend to Choose to Pursue Civil