The only real difference between federal crimes and other crimes is the prosecuting agency. In a federal crime you are prosecuted by the government of the United States. In other crimes you are prosecuted by the state or municipality in which the crime is committed.
Federal crimes differ from other offenses in the way they are prosecuted. A federal crime is brought by indictment issued by a grand jury. At the state level, a crime can be brought by the filing of an information by the prosecutor. Many states also have additional safeguards in place regarding a person’s rights.
The stigma of a federal crime is also higher than that of a local offender. There are federal crimes that are misdemeanors. But if you say you have been convicted of a federal offense there is a perception attached to that phrase that can be detrimental.
Posted in: Federal Offenses
