[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 33, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 33CFR140.40]

[Page 137-138]
 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 140--GENERAL--Table of Contents
 
                           Subpart A--General
 
Sec. 140.40  Processing penalty cases.

    Apparent violations of the regulations in this subchapter are 
processed in accordance with subpart 1.07 of 33 CFR part 1 on civil and 
criminal penalty proceedings, except as follows:
    (a) The District Commander refers civil penalty cases to the 
Secretary of the Interior, or that person's delegate, who, under the 
Act, assesses, collects, and compromises civil penalties.
    (b) If a possible violation investigated by the Coast Guard carries 
both a civil and a criminal penalty, the District Commander determines 
whether to refer the case to the U.S. Attorney for criminal prosecution 
or to the Secretary of the Interior, or that person's delegate, for 
civil penalty proceedings.
    (c) When the U.S. Attorney declines to institute criminal 
proceedings, the District Commander decides whether to refer the case to 
the Secretary of

[[Page 138]]

the Interior, or that person's delegate, for civil penalty proceedings 
or to close the case.