If a person is arrested for an illegal activity, their case may be held in a state jurisdiction. However, not all crimes are held at a state level. Depending on the nature of a crime, a person arrested for illegal activities could be held in a federal jurisdiction.
Criminal punishments are often different depending on whether a defendant is accused of committing state or federal crimes. Understanding the difference between state and federal crimes can help defendants understand what they are being accused of doing. Here is what you should know:
Types of state crimes
Committing a crime in Texas can cause a defendant to be held in a Texas court depending on the severity of their crime. Texas criminal laws have similar regulations to those in other states, however, there are some differences in how a criminal may be punished. These laws focus on white-collar crimes, drug possession, theft, gambling, assault and drunk driving, for example.
Penalties for committing a state crime can include probate, incarceration, fines and community service. However, charges can vary greatly depending on a few factors, such as the type of offense and a defendant’s criminal history.
Types of federal crimes
Federal laws are rules and regulations that apply to everyone throughout the United States. A defendant may face federal charges if an offense took place across state lines or on federal property.
Some common types of federal crimes include bank fraud, identity theft, mail fraud, drug trafficking and tax evasion. Federal charges are often much more severe than state charges, such as longer prison sentences, larger fines and harsher minimum sentences.
In some cases, a defendant will be charged for both state and federal crimes depending on the severity and nature of a case. Whether a person is facing federal or state charges, legal guidance can help suspects build their defense strategy.