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Jun 4, 2025
What Makes a Federal Crime
Federal Crimes Explained
Federal crimes are offenses that violate United States federal laws, as opposed to state or local laws. These crimes are prosecuted by federal agencies and tried in federal courts.
Types of Federal Crimes
What crimes do you go to the feds for?
- Drug trafficking
- Bank robbery
- Mail fraud
- Tax evasion
- Counterfeiting
- Immigration offenses
- Child pornography
- Terrorism
These are just a few examples. Federal crimes often involve activities that cross state lines, affect interstate commerce, or violate specific federal statutes.
Jurisdiction: Federal vs. State Crimes
What makes a crime federal instead of state?
A crime is considered federal when it violates federal law or occurs on federal property. Crimes that cross state lines, involve federal agencies, or impact interstate commerce are typically prosecuted at the federal level. In contrast, state crimes are violations of state laws and are prosecuted in state courts.
What makes a criminal case federal?
A criminal case becomes federal when the alleged offense is under the jurisdiction of federal law. This can happen if the crime involves federal property, federal officials, or crosses state boundaries. Additionally, crimes that are specifically defined by federal statutes, such as mail fraud or tax evasion, are handled by federal courts.
Federal Crime Definition
What is considered a federal crime?
Any act that is made illegal by U.S. federal legislation is considered a federal crime. These crimes are prosecuted by federal authorities such as the FBI, DEA, or ATF, and are tried in federal courts. Examples include offenses like wire fraud, kidnapping across state lines, and crimes committed on federal land.
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