Federal land exists throughout Florida in a surprising number of places. National parks, military bases, federal courthouses, post offices, federal office buildings, Veterans Affairs facilities and certain protected wildlife areas may all fall under federal jurisdiction. Locations such as Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park and military installations across the state may involve federal law enforcement authority.
When an alleged criminal offense occurs on federal property, federal prosecutors are likely to take charge of the situation at issue. In Florida, crimes committed on federal land may lead to federal criminal charges, exposing defendants to aggressive investigations, stricter procedures and potentially severe penalties than they might otherwise face if they were prosecuted at the state level.
Why does federal jurisdiction over a case matter?
Even offenses that seem relatively minor can become federal matters depending on where they occur. Allegations involving assault, theft, drug possession, weapons violations, vandalism or disorderly conduct on federal property may trigger federal prosecution. Certain offenses involving federal employees, government property or protected areas may also risk enhanced penalties accordingly.
Federal investigations are often conducted by agencies with substantial resources. Depending on the circumstances, agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, National Park Service or military investigators may become involved. Once a defendant is being prosecuted federally, the stakes of their case generally rise significantly.
Federal courts generally follow the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which can lead to significant prison exposure depending on the offense and a defendant’s prior criminal history. Federal prosecutors also tend to pursue cases aggressively.
As a result of these realities, anyone who is under investigation or charged with a federal offense should take the matter extremely seriously. Federal criminal cases often involve extensive evidence gathering, grand jury proceedings and more highly experienced prosecutors than a state case might.
Therefore, if you have been accused of committing an offense on federal land in Florida, know that the time to speak with an experienced legal team is now.