Crimes and civil infractions are typically charged at either the municipal, city, or state level depending on their severity.   When a crime spans state lines, involves substantial amounts of money, or is caused by specific actions, the charges are automatically filed at the federal level.   Whether a crime is charged at the federal or state level has significant impact on the sentence an offender may receive, the repercussions on his or her future, and the options the offender has for dismissing or mitigating the charges against them.

What Makes a Crime a “Federal Crime”? 

Federal crimes   are the most serious criminal offenses that one can be charged with.   A federal indictment leads to involvement of the best prosecutors, investigators, and resources that can be difficult to combat without the requisite federal criminal defense charges experience.   Federal crimes may include:

• Drug trafficking
• Mail fraud
• Identity offenses
• RICO violations
• Child pornography possession or distribution
• Tax evasion
• Money laundering
• Forgery
• Bank fraud
• Hacking

Essentially any crime that spans state lines, is committed over telephonic communications (such as the internet), or occurred on federal lands will be charged at the federal level.   Some crimes may be tried at both the state and federal level depending on the nature and circumstances of the crime.