HOW TO TELL IF YOU’RE FACING FEDERAL CRIMINAL CHARGES

Most of the crimes committed in North Carolina and other states are handled by local and state-level courts. Yet, if certain elements are present, a federal court could prosecute a state crime.

Generally, federal criminal laws address national issues, such as interstate drug trafficking or federal tax fraud. Since Congress can only pass laws when there is national interest at stake, there are fewer classes of federal crimes compared to state crimes.

The following are the common elements of a federal crime.

• Federal authorities are involved – Whether it’s the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF, if a federal agency contacts you or investigates your crime, then your case is under federal jurisdiction.
• The crime occurred on federal property – If a state crime occurs on federal land, then federal authorities could get involved in your case. Common examples of federal properties include national parks, federal banks, federal courthouses, federal prisons, and even Native American reservations.
• The crime occurred in multiple states – If the crime involved more than one state, as well as multiple perpetrators (e.g. drug trafficking) and multiple victims (e.g. an online fraud scheme) in each state, then a federal court will handle your case.
• The crime crossed state lines – For instance, if a person kidnaps a victim in North Carolina and drives all the way to Texas to flee authorities, federal law enforcement agencies will handle the case.

At Pinnacle Law, we handle both state and federal crimes in North Carolina. We can help you navigate the complexities of the federal legal process while protecting your rights and freedom.
For more information about federal crimes in Charlotte, contact us today at 704-625-0691 and schedule a free case review.