federal offense
Crime against nation
A federal offense is a crime that violates United States federal law rather than state or local law.
Federal offenses include crimes crossing state lines, offenses on federal property, and matters like tax evasion, counterfeiting, or drug trafficking.
The term often appears in warnings or threats emphasizing serious legal consequences: Tampering with mail is a federal offense.
In casual use, calling something a federal offense can be hyperbolic, suggesting someone is overreacting: Relax, it's not like jaywalking is a federal offense.
- treasonBetraying one's nation
- hate crimesOffenses targeting protected characteristics
- seditionInciting revolt against government
- money launderingDisguising criminal proceeds' origins
- white collar crimeNonviolent financial wrongdoing
organized crime · human trafficking · counterfeiting · identity theft · bank fraud · espionage · insider trading · drug trafficking · terrorism · RICO · cybercrime · wire fraud · securities fraud · smuggling · border patrol · obstruction of justice · plea deal · tax fraud
- prosecutionprosecutor, district attorney, DA, prosecution, public prosecutors
federal offensepetty offense
Minor legal wrongdoing
civil violation · parking violation · misdemeanor · jaywalking · littering
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