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The Federal System

A person appears in federal court if they are charged with a federal offense. The person will be summoned to court or arrested.

The categories for federal offenses are:

  • A petty offense is a crime punishable by six months or less in jail.
  • A misdemeanor offense is a crime punishable by a prison sentence of one year or less.
  • A felony offense is a crime punishable by a year or more in prison.