What are "federal crimes"?

Federal crimes are defined as acts that are made illegal by federal legislation. This means that they are violations of laws enacted by the federal government, which can include a wide range of activities such as drug trafficking, fraud, and immigration violations, among others. Unlike state crimes, which are defined and prosecuted under state law, federal crimes are enforced by federal law enforcement agencies and are prosecuted in federal courts.

This distinction is important because federal crimes often involve issues that cross state lines or have a national impact, necessitating a uniform response under federal jurisdiction. The consequences for federal crimes can also be more severe than for state offenses, with potential penalties like longer prison sentences and more significant fines.

In contrast, being prosecuted locally pertains to crimes handled under state or local jurisdiction, and acts made illegal by state legislation specifically refer to state laws rather than federal laws. Infractions of security protocols may relate to breaches of internal policies or regulations but do not encompass the broader scope of crimes defined by federal law. Thus, understanding that federal crimes are specifically tied to violations of federal statutes clarifies why the correct answer emphasizes acts made illegal by federal legislation.