Examples of Common State and Federal Crimes

Posted By The Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Grass || 17-May-2012

If you are ever arrested for a crime, it is important to ask if it is a state or federal offense, as this will determine the path your trial will take with a criminal defense attorney. Here is some important information about these different types of crimes:

• State Crimes
  In general, state crimes are offenses that take place solely in one state and are outlawed by state law. Accordingly, these crimes may be punished differently in each state. For example, while Texas authorizes the death penalty in some heinous criminal cases, other states do not. Some examples of common state crimes include homicide, drug possession and distribution (within state boundaries), traffic offenses, driving under the influence and driving while intoxicated, and sex crimes.

All of these cases will be tried in state courts according to state statutes, unless they are appealed to the Supreme Court. In some cases, extenuating circumstances may exist in which the case qualifies for federal prosecution, but this is rare and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

• Federal Crimes
  If a crime takes place in one or more states or involves international activity, it is generally considered a federal offense. Similarly, if it involves a federal institution like the Postal Service or the IRS, it automatically becomes a federal offense. Other examples of federal crimes include tax evasion, art theft, mail fraud, kidnapping, drug trafficking, currency counterfeiting, and child pornography.

Conspiracy charges are also common in federal cases. Anyone who worked with someone who committed a federal crime, even if they themselves did not commit a federal crime, will be charged with conspiracy. For example, a person driving a car filled with drugs that were trafficked across state lines may be charged with conspiracy, though he himself never crossed state lines or performed actions meriting federal charges.

Whether you’ve been charged with a state or federal crime, you can count on our team to guide you through the process. For a free initial consultation regarding your case, call us at .