Federal criminal statutes define crimes prosecuted by the United States government. These laws are primarily found in Title 18 of the U.S. Code, along with related titles covering drugs, firearms, fraud, terrorism, and other federal offenses.
Federal criminal cases are charged and sentenced under a separate legal system from state law, with different procedures, penalty structures, and classification rules. The statutes below are organized by offense category to help identify how specific federal charges are defined and applied.
General Offense Classifications
Violent and Personal Crimes
Drug and Trafficking Offenses
Firearms and Weapons Offenses
Fraud, Financial, and White-Collar Crimes
Cybercrime, Terrorism, and Organized Crime
- Cybercrimes and Hacking
- Hate Crime Acts
- Terrorism Crimes
- RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act)
Tax Evasion and Federal Tax Crimes
- Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax
- Willful Failure to Collect or Pay Over Tax
- Willful Failure to File or Pay Tax
- Fraud and False Statements
- Interference with Administration of Internal Revenue Laws
Counterfeiting and Forgery
- Counterfeiting Obligations or Securities of the United States
- Uttering Counterfeit Obligations or Securities
- Dealing in Counterfeit Obligations or Securities
- Counterfeiting Plates, Stones, or Digital Images
- Taking Impressions of Counterfeiting Tools
- Possessing or Selling Impressions of Counterfeiting Tools
- Counterfeiting Foreign Obligations or Securities
- Uttering Counterfeit Foreign Obligations
- Possessing Counterfeit Foreign Obligations
- Counterfeiting Plates or Digital Images for Foreign Obligations
- Counterfeiting Coins or Bars
- Uttering Coins of Gold, Silver, or Other Metal
- Counterfeit Dies for Coins
- Counterfeit Dies for Foreign Coins
- Counterfeiting Minor Coin Currency
- Tokens or Paper Used as Money
- Forfeiture of Counterfeit Paraphernalia
- Bonds and Obligations of Certain Lending Agencies
- Contractors’ Bonds, Bids, and Public Records
- Contracts, Deeds, and Powers of Attorney
- Forgery or Alteration of Customs Documents
- Forgery of Letters Patent
- Military or Naval Discharge Certificates
- Forgery of Military, Naval, or Official Passes
- Counterfeiting or Forging Postal Money Orders
- Counterfeiting Postage Stamps, Meter Stamps, or Postal Cards
- Counterfeiting Foreign Postage or Revenue Stamps
- Forgery or False Postmarking of Stamps
- Forgery or Misuse of Court or Officer Seals
- Forgery or Misuse of Department or Agency Seals
- Forgery of Ship’s Papers or Vessel Documentation
- Forgery of Government Transportation Requests
- Possession or Creation of Plates for Government Transportation Requests
- Forging Endorsements on U.S. Treasury Checks or Securities
- Altering or Removing Motor Vehicle Identification Numbers
- Counterfeiting or Forgery of State or Private Securities
- Issuing or Passing Fictitious Financial Instruments
Understanding Federal Criminal Statutes
Federal criminal statutes define how offenses are charged, classified, and punished in federal court. Some statutes apply broadly across many types of cases, while others are used only in specific circumstances. Together, these laws form the framework federal prosecutors rely on when bringing criminal charges.
Federal Criminal Defense
Federal criminal cases follow a different legal process than state prosecutions and often carry significant consequences. If you are under investigation or facing federal charges, speaking with an attorney who understands federal criminal law can help you assess your options. Contact Combs Waterkotte online or call (314) 900-HELP to discuss your situation with a federal criminal defense lawyer.
