Scams and Fraud Prevention
Why Mail Fraud Is a Federal Crime
Learn why mail fraud became a federal crime, tracing the law from an 1872 statute to today's rules on intent, mailings, and penalties reaching 20 to…
Crime and Criminal Law
Crime and criminal law is the body of rules that defines the conduct a society punishes and sets how people accused of it are charged and defended. Legislatures write the statutes that define offenses and penalties, and courts interpret those statutes and decide how they apply. Federal, state, and local governments each have their own criminal laws, so one act can fall under more than one.
9articles
2topics
October 6last updated
An independent team explaining how government works
GovFacts is a nonpartisan site that makes government concepts, policies and programs easier to understand and use.
Referenced by Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill and USA Today.
The Webby-recognized AI behind our articles »
Referenced by Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill and USA Today.
The Webby-recognized AI behind our articles »
Latest in Crime and Criminal Law
Types of Crimes
The Epstein Files: What the Documents Actually Show
The criminal enterprise of Jeffrey Epstein has created one of the most persistent myths in modern American history: the existence of a singular, definitive "Client List."…
Types of Crimes
Treason: The Only Crime Defined in the Constitution
Only one crime appears in the text of the Constitution itself: treason. This status reflects both the gravity of betraying one's country and the founders' deep…
Mental Health and Substance Use
The History, Science, and Politics Behind Marijuana’s Schedule I Status
For a state-licensed medical marijuana business, the April 28, 2026 rule does more than place its medical marijuana in Schedule III, a category whose usual legal…
Topics in Crime and Criminal Law
Crime and defenses
Types of Crimes sorts offenses by kind and seriousness, from minor violations to felonies. Hate Crimes covers offenses in which a victim is chosen because of who they are. Criminal Law Principles and Defenses explains ideas such as intent and the defenses a person may raise when accused.
All Articles on Crime and Criminal Law
The History of the US Drug Classification System
The United States drug regulation system began as a consumer protection effort and evolved into one of the world's most expansive criminal control frameworks.…
When Illegal Evidence Gets In: Understanding Inevitable Discovery and Independent Source Doctrines
Inevitable discovery and independent source can admit evidence after unlawful police conduct, but each requires proof of a separate lawful route.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor: What’s the Difference?
Navigating the U.S. legal system can be daunting. One fundamental distinction in criminal law is whether an offense is classified as a felony or…
Understanding the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) serves as the bedrock of the military justice system within the United States Armed Forces. Enacted by…
Mail Crimes and the Postal Inspectors Who Solve Them
The United States Postal Service (USPS) isn't just about delivering letters and packages—it also plays a critical role in protecting the integrity of the…