Crimes on federal land

[violet_eyez]

If you commit a crime on federal property is it considered a federal offense regardless of the crime?

For example if I was to go to washington d.c and shoplift or drive drunk would it be considered a federal crime because im on federal property?

If not, how do the police from washington deal with crime in their city? which state are criminals sent to?

why or why not? Thanks

[FWS Rangr]

LOL, well not really federal crimes are committed on property owned by the US Government or were the US Government has a common interest. If you commit a crime in Washington DC it woud be prosecuted by METRO PD in DC and not by the Feds unless you try some act of terrorism then the Feds would have jurisdiction. It all depends were and when you commit the crime or the violation.

[orlandofed5-0]

LOL, well not really federal crimes are committed on property owned by the US Government or were the US Government has a common interest. If you commit a crime in Washington DC it woud be prosecuted by METRO PD in DC and not by the Feds unless you try some act of terrorism then the Feds would have jurisdiction. It all depends were and when you commit the crime or the violation.

It depends on the crime and where at in DC. Most felonies are prosecuted by the US Attorney in DC in federal court. Generally most misdeamenors are handled at the DC superior court. Some agencies deal directly with the US District court.

[DACP]

..........

[2wheeldep]

It does not matter whose property you are standing on, which ever law is applicable to what crime you did. It could be a federal law, state law, city code or county code.

I have a VA hospital in my area, you will not believe the number of motorist who tell me I can't write them a ticket because we are on federal property.

I tell them, to use that defense in traffic court and see where that gets you lol.

Although the Fed police will use Fed statues for military or veterans and CA veh code for all others

[913]

It does not matter whose property you are standing on, which ever law is applicable to what crime you did. It could be a federal law, state law, city code or county code.

If its a run of the mill crime on federal land, the federal law enforcement can file charges federally, or in most cases, the locals can file charges through the state or county. Where it gets skewed a bit is if it's a federal regulation or something along those lines, that the locals don't really have a means of enforcing. For example, a person violates a forest service or federal parks regulation (no dogs on trail, closed to motorized vehicles, etc.). Most states don't have state laws that cover federal regulations, unless they have a catch-all law regarding any violation on "public lands", or something to that effect.

[mdrdep]

Unless of course it's one of those confidential black laws, then the helicopters just make the people disappear, but we probably shouldn't talk about that here.

[S.O.444]

I don't know of any federal land in my jurisdiction, so I don't really think too much about it honestly.

[TexasAggieOfc]

SO, you can't tell me you don't have a Social Security Office or a Post Office anywhere in your county? (We don't have SSA, but we have two USPS)

[DACP]

Unless of course it's one of those confidential black laws, then the helicopters just make the people disappear, but we probably shouldn't talk about that here.

I agree.

[Red Swan]

Indian Reservations are in sense federal land, commit anything feds consider a felony and they will charge you with it. Anything less Tribes usual charge you, if your an enrolled native member.

[violet_eyez]

Thats good to know. Nothing like doing federal time for jaywalking. but i am still curious, if you commit a crime in say Washington dc that requires prison time. what state are you sent off to? whichever your closest to?

also if the feds wanted to, just you know to be mean could they make it so you do your time in a federal prison? even though it was a something you would normaly go to state prison for anywhere else?

[orlandofed5-0]

Thats good to know. Nothing like doing federal time for jaywalking. but i am still curious, if you commit a crime in say Washington dc that requires prison time. what state are you sent off to? whichever your closest to?

also if the feds wanted to, just you know to be mean could they make it so you do your time in a federal prison? even though it was a something you would normaly go to state prison for anywhere else?

DC has their own corrections system. So if you get time in DC, you can be sent to their facilities.

If your prosecuted for a FELONY in DC, then you are prosecuted by the US Attorney and in the US DISTRICT COURT. If you are convicted, then you can be sent anywhere within the Bureau Of Prisons system.