Can mail fraud be prosecuted by the state

In the United States, mail fraud is typically a federal crime, and it is prosecuted by the federal government. The federal mail fraud statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1341, makes it illegal to use the mail or other interstate commerce to execute a scheme to defraud or obtain money or property by false pretenses.

However, some states have their own mail fraud laws, which may be used to prosecute mail fraud cases that do not involve interstate commerce or other federal elements. These state laws may be used to prosecute cases that involve only intrastate mail fraud, such as fraud schemes that only involve mail sent within a single state.

In general, state mail fraud laws are modeled after the federal mail fraud statute, and they often have similar elements and penalties. However, the specific laws and penalties for mail fraud can vary significantly from state to state.

Some examples of state mail fraud laws include:

It's worth noting that even if a state has its own mail fraud law, the federal government may still have jurisdiction over the case if it involves interstate commerce or other federal elements. In such cases, the federal government may choose to prosecute the case under federal law, rather than the state law.

In summary, while mail fraud is typically a federal crime, some states have their own mail fraud laws that can be used to prosecute cases that do not involve interstate commerce or other federal elements. The specific laws and penalties for mail fraud can vary significantly from state to state.