What is the definition of a federal crime?

A federal crime is any illegal activity or violation of a law that is established and enforced by the federal government. This means that federal crimes can involve both criminal and civil violations, as well as activities that cross state lines. In Maryland, a federal crime is a crime that is either established by a federal statute or prosecuted by a U.S. Attorney in a federal court. Examples of federal crimes include tax evasion, counterfeiting, mail fraud, wire fraud, bank robbery, racketeering, and violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. All federal crimes carry serious penalties, including fines, imprisonment, or both. Additionally, some crimes can be charged as either a state or federal crime; these crimes are known as “concurrent crimes”. Examples of concurrent crime in Maryland include drug possession, assault, and weapons charges. Whether a charge is prosecuted as a state or federal crime usually depends on the severity of the charge and other extenuating circumstances. In summary, a federal crime is any illegal activity or violation of a law that is established and enforced by the federal government. Examples of federal crimes include tax evasion, counterfeiting, mail fraud, and wire fraud. In Maryland, some crimes can be charged as either a state or federal crime.

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