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 Washington State, as in the rest of the United States, federal crimes are offenses that are prosecuted under the authority of laws passed by the United States Congress. These crimes are distinct from state crimes, which are prosecuted under Washington State law, and typically involve matters that fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government as outlined by the U.S. Constitution. Federal crimes often pertain to issues that cross state lines or have national implications, such as counterfeiting currency, bank robbery due to the federal insurance of bank deposits by the FDIC, tax evasion, and mail fraud. These offenses are codified in the United States Code (U.S.C.) and are handled by federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, DEA, and ATF, and prosecuted by United States Attorneys in federal courts. For instance, bank robbery is specifically addressed under 18 U.S.C. §2113, as banks are federally insured. Other examples of federal crimes include wire fraud, immigration offenses, and espionage. It is important for individuals in Washington State to recognize that while they are subject to state laws, they are also subject to federal laws that may carry different penalties and are adjudicated in a separate court system.