Palm Harbor, FL criminal defense attorney Robert D. Eckard discusses how federal and state criminal cases are different. He explains that state criminal cases involve crimes that occur within the boundaries of a specific state, while federal crimes extend across state lines. As a result, jurisdictional issues differ between the two. Federal crimes are prosecuted in federal court by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, alongside federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, and ICE. It’s important to note that sentencing guidelines for state cases are distinct from those in federal cases. Additionally, the resources available to the federal government are typically more substantial and sophisticated compared to local prosecutor’s offices.