Originally Posted by Phil_gretz

Not that. They belched some smoke at you. Okay...

You're being dramatic, and you are reflecting the results of a popular cultural indoctrination. Makes many of us, um, uneasy.

Here's how it works, generally:

The laws governing auto emission are applied at the manufacturer's level as compliance standards for design, and again at the owner's state level as registration standards. Each state determines how emission regulations are administered at the owner level, through inspection and registration. Once registered, the vehicle is in compliance. Proper maintenance is verified periodically through inspection. Unless, of course, an LEO observes some obvious violation. But it's not even a "crime", per se, but rather a violation of state or local ordinance. And there's an opportunity for the owner to correct, generally.

But, to even attempt to classify it as an "environmental crime"? That's a squishy area that has little constitutional basis. It's been broadly defined and levied through regulations. This is part of the brave new world...