In the United States, some crimes are federal crimes, while others are state crimes. It's important to know the difference between federal versus state offenses.
If you face a criminal charge and a possible trial, you may be wondering “What’s the difference between state court and federal court?”
Veteran Houston criminal defense lawyer Neal Davis has your answer:
“Federal courts were created under the United States Constitution and have jurisdiction over criminal cases which the federal government brings against a defendant,” Davis says. “Texas state courts are created under Texas statute, and the state brings charges against the defendant.”
Davis says different procedural laws apply in federal court as compared to state court, so trials may proceed differently depending on if it’s “United States vs. X” in federal court or “Texas vs. X” in state court. However, the “vast majority” of criminal cases are filed in state court.
All courts in America are either federal courts, or state and local courts (for counties, cities or other municipalities). Federal courts have jurisdiction (the authorization to hear cases) over constitutional matters or over federal laws passed by Congress. State and local courts have jurisdiction over state and local laws.
The jurisdiction of state courts is broad, ranging from minor traffic violations to family disputes, robberies, broken contracts and many serious felonies. Most cases involving most citizens are tried in state courts.
The jurisdiction of federal courts includes such things as bankruptcy, copyright, patent, antitrust and some maritime matters. Also, federal courts have jurisdiction when the U.S. government is sued, or whenever the U.S. government is a party. Federal courts also have jurisdiction in cases involving citizens of different states when the amount of money in dispute is more than $75,000.
Founder of the Neal Davis Law Firm, Neal Davis is licensed in both state and federal courts and has successfully handled cases successfully in both for nearly 20 years.
Whether your case belongs in state court or in federal court, you can contact Neal Davis today for a free legal review of your case.
Shared Federal & State Jurisdictions: The Problem of Double Jeopardy
At times, federal and state courts may share jurisdiction over certain cases. The parties involved in such matters can choose whether to take them to state or federal courts. Such things occur when state and federal laws overlap, which happens often when federal laws stem from the Commerce Clause.
Known as “concurrent jurisdiction,” such shared federal and state jurisdiction can have significant impact on a case.
Though the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment shields citizens from so-called “double jeopardy,” meaning you can’t be put in jeopardy twice for the same offense, matters in shared or concurrent jurisdiction can provide rare exceptions. That is, if you are tried and acquitted of a state charge, federal prosecutors still could bring the charge to a federal court.
How can this be?
It’s because the double jeopardy clause of the U.S. Constitution only prevents multiple prosecutions by the same “sovereign” (possessor of power or control). Federal and state governments are considered separate sovereigns, so each can prosecute for the same crime.
Houston criminal defense attorney Neal Davis is working to strike down the dual sovereignty option by petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of former Beaumont ISD contract electrician Calvin Walker. Walker's federal trial on charges of fraud and money-laundering ended in a mistrial, and now state prosecutors want to try him again, which Davis is working to prevent.
Federal courts also have jurisdiction to hear cases involving state laws when a state law is argued to be in violation of the U.S. Constitution.
Federal vs. State Crimes
Most crimes are state crimes and tried in state courts, which handle the vast majority of criminal cases. In fact, among cases filed yearly in the United States, around 30 million reside in state courts, while only about one million are in federal courts.
State crimes include numerous offenses which happen all too often, such as robbery, arson, murder, rape, theft and burglary. Federal crimes fall under fewer classes or classifications, since they must involve a national or federal interest, as in counterfeiting.
Though most crimes, such as robbery, are state crimes, occasionally robbery is a federal crime - as when a bank is robbed and its deposits are insured by a federal agency.
Provisions for such things come from the federal criminal code. It covers many criminal offenses that are customarily addressed at the state level, including violent offenses such as homicide, kidnapping and assault. Non-violent financial crimes also are included.
In addition, crimes committed on federal property are considered federal crimes. Such property can include federal prisons or courthouses, as well as national parks, Native American reservations and the District of Columbia.
Federal crimes also include identity theft, using the U.S. postal system to swindle people and drug trafficking, which includes transporting illegal drugs into the U.S. or across state lines.
Interstate commerce or crossing state lines involves federal authority, particularly in regard to laws about firearms or drugs, as well as mail and wire fraud.
At the state level, criminal laws are passed by state governing bodies or can stem from a state’s constitution. At the federal level, criminal laws are passed by the U.S. Congress or stem from the Constitution.
Federal vs. State Attorneys
Federal courts include district courts (trial courts) and circuit courts (the first level of appeal), which are located throughout the nation as well as the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. State courts exist throughout a given state.
When cases go to trial on the federal level, they are prosecuted by a U.S. Attorney or Assistant U.S. Attorney. When cases go to trial at the state or local level, they are prosecuted by a state or district attorney, or by a city attorney.
Defendants should seek legal help from a criminal defense law firm with experience in whichever court their charge is filed in. A lawyer knowledgeable in both state and federal court systems is the best option.
Federal vs. State Enforcement & Penalties
State and local enforcement of criminal laws is largely handled by such entities as city police departments, county sheriff’s offices and state authorities such as (in Texas) the Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Federal law enforcement can be handled by many agencies which have powers to investigate federal offenses. Which agency is involved may depend on the nature of the offense.
Among these agencies are:
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- The Secret Service
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Penalties for state and federal crimes can vary. Most federal judges follow federal sentencing guidelines when it comes to handing down a sentence to a defendant. In general, federal penalties are more severe than state penalties, even for comparable crimes.
For example, mandatory minimum sentences for some federal drug crimes can be extremely severe.
Persons who are convicted of a federal crime and receive a prison sentence are taken to federal prison. Persons convicted of a state or local crime may serve time in state prisons or local jail facilities.
Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you are a defendant in a state or federal criminal charge, rest assured you can get in touch with an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer by contacting the Neal Davis Law Firm, which serves the Houston area as well as all of Harris County, Montgomery County and Fort Bend County in Southeast Texas.
Contact the Neal Davis Law Firm today and you will receive a free legal consultation for your case.