Dr.Evil said:
i must be confused.
i was under the impression that states handle cases within their own states and if the offense crossed over borders then it became a federal case...
i know of people who have gotten busted selling locally and face state charges of posession and distribution. the ones i know who get busted selling over the internet face federal charges of distribution and posession with the intent to distribute...
Selling over the net is interstate distribution so the Feds would have to be involved. People busted locally can be charged with state or federal offenses, or both. I know it sounds like double jeopardy, but its not. If someone faces federal charges the state DA will not pursue because federal sentencing carries a much more severe penalty and if the person is aquitted, there is no way in hell a state DA will win. The Federal conviction rate is ~99%.
After reviewing the evidence and severity of the offense, Federal prosecutors may choose to indict. If the evidence is strong and it is a serious offense such as any index crime or narcotic trafficking they are more likely to do so, as opposed to a weak case of marijuana posession.
If you get indicted on federal charges, you are in some serious shit. My attorney told me he would never consider taking a federal case for less than $10,000.
Feds dont fuck around. If they want you bad enough, they are going to get you. Look at Gotti or Al Capone. Fuck, they invented a new offense, racketeering, to put him away!
If the Feds want you so bad that they invent new laws and offenses, you are pretty much fucked!