What is the difference between a federal and state crime?
A federal crime is a violation of a statute passed by the United States Congress. A state crime is a violation of a statute or ordinance passed by the state legislature or a local authority. Usually the crime addresses criminal activity on a more national concern. Although, in recent decades the federal government has become increasingly involved in prosecuting drug and violent crimes, areas once almost exclusively to the states. Many crimes are prosecutable in both state and federal courts.