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 Indiana, as in all states, federal crimes are offenses that are prosecuted under the authority of laws passed by the United States Congress, as opposed to state statutes. These crimes are codified in the United States Code (U.S.C.) and typically involve matters under federal jurisdiction, which is the legal authority granted to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution. Federal crimes often pertain to issues that cross state lines or affect the nation as a whole, such as currency regulation, federal tax laws, and offenses involving federal agencies like the FDIC. For instance, bank robbery is a federal crime because banks are federally insured. Other examples of federal crimes include tax evasion, wire and mail fraud, immigration violations, and espionage. These offenses are investigated by federal agencies such as the FBI and prosecuted by United States Attorneys in federal courts. While most common law crimes like murder and assault are usually handled by state courts in Indiana, if they involve federal elements or occur on federal property, they may also be subject to federal prosecution.