Legal Definitions - federal

The term federal refers to the central, national government of the United States. This includes its three main branches:

• The legislative branch (Congress), which is responsible for creating laws.
• The executive branch (the President and various agencies), which enforces these laws.
• The judicial branch (the Supreme Court and other federal courts), which interprets laws and resolves legal disputes.

When we speak of "federal" laws, regulations, or agencies, we are referring to those established and operated by this national government, which apply across all states. The system of dividing governmental powers between this national government and individual state governments is known as federalism.

Here are some examples to illustrate the term:

• Federal Income Tax: Each year, individuals and businesses across the United States are required to pay federal income tax to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This tax is mandated by laws passed by the U.S. Congress (the legislative branch) and collected by the IRS, which is an agency within the executive branch of the national government. It applies uniformly to eligible citizens and entities in all 50 states, demonstrating a power exercised by the federal government that affects everyone nationally.

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The FBI is a national security and law enforcement agency that investigates crimes such as terrorism, cybercrime, and organized crime, especially those that cross state lines or involve national security interests. As an agency under the U.S. Department of Justice, it is part of the executive branch of the federal government. Its nationwide jurisdiction allows it to address complex issues that individual state or local police forces might not be equipped to handle, showcasing the broad reach of federal authority.

• Federal Court Case for Copyright Infringement: If an author discovers that someone has illegally copied and distributed their copyrighted book without permission, they would typically file a lawsuit in a federal court. Copyright law is established by the U.S. Congress and falls under federal jurisdiction, meaning it is a national law. Therefore, disputes related to copyright are resolved within the federal court system, which is part of the national government's judicial branch, rather than a state court. This highlights the federal government's role in interpreting and enforcing national laws.