LoneRonin t1_iuk4c20 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 10:58 PM

Reply to comment by verrius in Alleged Paul Pelosi attacker charged with assault and attempted kidnapping | CNN Politics by electromagneticpost

Rule of thumb is a regular-type crime like murder, theft or assault in a single spot, you get thrown into the state courts. If it's something that takes place across multiple states or is specifically against the state, such as a big criminal conspiracy or terrorism, then that's under federal court.

verrius t1_iuk71w1 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:20 PM

That's why I'm surprised. Murder I know is state, but "assassination of sitting federal officials" I'd think would be covered by federal law; there's a bunch of things you can do that are "covered" by a state crime that have a federal equivalent when either something crosses a state line, or federal officials are involved. It's especially surprising considering they apparently have made going after the family members of federal officials a crime, when going after the elected federal officials themselves in general isn't. Especially frustrating because I'm sure its against federal law to go after federal judges or FBI agents. But looking it up, even going after the sitting President isn't a particular federal crime...or at least wasn't until 1965, I'm not sure. Aaaaand now I'm on a list.