What is the definition of a federal crime?

A federal crime is an act that is considered unlawful by the federal government of the United States. In most cases, these crimes are addressed and prosecuted in the federal court system, rather than in state courts. Federally recognized crimes include activities that cross state lines or break federal laws. Examples of federal crimes include drug trafficking, tax evasion, terrorism, bank fraud, child pornography, and counterfeiting. In Minnesota, as in other states, the federal government is responsible for the prosecution of federal crimes. In order to be convicted of a federal crime, the prosecutor must prove that the defendant committed a crime in violation of a federal law. Additionally, any activity that affects or threatens interstate commerce can be considered a federal offense, meaning a crime that crosses state lines. The punishment for a federal crime depends on the severity of the offense. For instance, convictions for tax evasion can result in fines or even prison time, while convictions for child pornography may result in fines as well as registration as a sex offender.

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What is the definition of a federal crime?

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