Federal crimes are criminal offenses based on legislation (laws or statutes) enacted by the United States Congress and published in the United States Code (U.S.C.). Most crimes (murder, rape, assault, burglary, etc.) are prosecuted under state law (statutes) and are known as state law crimes. In contrast, crimes prosecuted under federal law are known as federal crimes.

Federal crimes generally involve a subject over which the United States Constitution gives the federal government—and more specifically, the U.S. Congress—the power or authority to legislate or make laws. This power or authority is also known as jurisdiction.

For example, the federal government (and not the states ) has the exclusive authority to print money and regulate its value. And because bank deposits are guaranteed (insured) by the federal government (FDIC) up to $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, and per ownership category, bank robbery is a federal crime (18 U.S.C. §2113). Examples of other federal crimes include tax evasion, wire fraud, mail fraud, immigration offenses, voting or electoral fraud, counterfeiting money, espionage (spying), and damaging or destroying mailboxes.

In Rhode Island, as in all states, federal crimes are distinct from state crimes in that they are prosecuted under laws passed by the United States Congress rather than state legislatures. Federal crimes typically involve matters under the jurisdiction of the federal government as outlined by the U.S. Constitution. Examples of federal jurisdiction include the production and regulation of currency, interstate commerce, and issues that cross state or national boundaries. Consequently, offenses such as bank robbery are considered federal crimes because banks are federally insured by the FDIC. Other federal crimes include tax evasion, wire and mail fraud, immigration violations, election-related fraud, counterfeiting, espionage, and destruction of federal property. These crimes are prosecuted by federal attorneys in federal courts, and the penalties are often more severe than for state crimes. It's important for residents of Rhode Island to understand that while they are subject to state laws, they are also subject to federal laws that may carry different implications for similar actions.