What Are Types of Federal Crimes?

By definition, a federal crime is one in which there is a violation of federal laws that subsequently, likely affects another individual(s) from beyond the state of Tennesee’s borders. As such, such a crime may be handled by the federal court system rather than Tennesee’s institutions. With all that in mind, please follow along to find out the different types of federal crimes and how one of the proficient Montgomery County criminal defense lawyers at Fendley and Birch can help you prepare for your upcoming case.

What are the different types of federal crimes?

To put it in another way, federal law generally does not rule and thereby enforces disciplinary actions for rather low-level or local crimes. This is to say that the federal court system may deal with any of the following types of federal crimes:

• Bank robbery and fraud.
• Child pornography or exploitation.
• Hate crimes.
• Healthcare fraud.
• Human trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Mail and wire fraud.
• Racketeering.
• Tax evasion.

It is worth mentioning that federal law has expanded its addressing of drug crimes, making some considered to be federal drug crimes. Different examples read as follows:

• Conspiracy.
• Drug smuggling.
• Drug trafficking.
• Illegal drug manufacturing and/or distribution.
• Illegal sale of narcotics.
• Possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Simple drug possession.
• Transport of illegal drugs overseas or across national borders.

How are federal crime cases typically handled?

As it has already been stated, an accusation of a federal crime against you may be taken up by the federal court system. Here, if you are ultimately found guilty of committing such a federal offense, the judge may sentence you according to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. All in all, these guidelines base sentencing primarily on your conduct while you were committing such a federal offense and whether or not you carry a prior criminal history with a federal or state offense, among other factors.

Generally speaking, the most common criminal punishments associated with federal offenses are jail or prison sentences, significantly large fines, restitution, and more. For example, with a bank robbery offense, you may be up against 20 years in federal prison, plus a fine. However, these penalties may be upgraded if it is found that you assaulted an individual, used a dangerous weapon to put an individual’s life at risk, or otherwise used violence.

Last but not least, you should know that it is possible to be prosecuted by both the federal court and Tennessee state court systems. This is if your federal crime is found to have violated both federal and state laws. This is particularly relevant to a lot of drug crimes.

In conclusion, at Fendley and Birch, we share the same goal as you, which is likely to stay out of trouble with the law. So please do not hesitate to work with one of the talented Montgomery County criminal defense lawyers from our firm today.