US Government Changes Rules for Big Companies
美國政府更改大公司規則
Introduction
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is changing how it punishes companies. They now use fines instead of criminal court cases for health and safety problems.
美國司法部 (DOJ) 正在更改懲罰公司的方式。針對健康與安全問題，他們現在使用罰款而非刑事訴訟。
Main Body
The DOJ stopped criminal cases against companies like Alibaba, Philips, and Abbott. These companies sold dangerous products. The DOJ asked for money instead of sending people to jail.
司法部停止了針對阿里巴巴、飛利浦和雅培等公司的刑事起訴。這些公司銷售危險產品。司法部要求金錢賠償，而非將人入獄。
Some government workers wanted stronger punishments. But the leaders said no. They want to stop using small criminal charges for these companies.
部分政府僱員希望採取更嚴厲的懲罰。但領導層表示不同意。他們希望停止對這些公司使用小規模的刑事指控。
Now, companies can tell the government about their mistakes. If they do this, the government will not punish them as much. Some leaders in Congress are worried about this.
現在，公司可以向政府告知他們的錯誤。如果這樣做，政府將不會對其處以太重的懲罰。國會中的一些領導者對此感到擔憂。
Conclusion
The DOJ now prefers money payments over criminal trials for health and safety rules.
司法部現在對於健康與安全規則，更傾向於金錢賠償而非刑事審判。
Vocabulary Learning
💡 The 'Instead Of' Switch
In this text, we see a pattern used to show a change or a choice.
The Pattern: [Thing A] instead of [Thing B]
It means: We do NOT want B. We WANT A.
Examples from the text:
- Fines instead of court cases
- Money instead of jail
🛠️ How to use it at A2 level
Use this when you change your mind or offer a different option.
- Coffee instead of Tea. (I don't want tea, I want coffee)
- Walk instead of Drive. (I will not drive, I will walk)
⚠️ Word Watch: 'Punish'
When someone does something bad, the government or a teacher punishes them.
- Small punishment A fine (paying money).
- Big punishment Jail (prison).