Will BP executives go to jail?

Wouldn't that be nice.  Holding people accountable for destroying lives and our environment.

There's little doubt that BP and possibly other companies involved will pay billions in criminal fines for the spilled oil and injured or dead wildlife, because the applicable laws don't leave corporations much defense. Generally, if the oil is spilled in the water and it's clear where it came from, that's all that's required for conviction.

Bringing criminal charges against individuals, though, typically has been more difficult. Most legal principles shield corporate officers from direct personal liability for violations by the corporation, in line with the idea that corporations are separate legal entities.

But over the years, courts have developed a "responsible corporate officer doctrine" that exposes individuals to liability for corporate wrongdoing even if those individuals were not involved or even aware of it. It's been used repeatedly in Clean Water Act violations.