Jurisdiction
Which bodies deal with which matters and areas.
Local
City and county departments deal with offences in their area.
State
State agencies may act anywhere in the state and support local departments on request.
Federal
Federal agencies deal with offences under the Federal Code, offences that cross state or national borders, and offences against the government.
Overlap
Where more than one body has jurisdiction, the body that first took control of the scene or case keeps it until it is handed over. Within one level of government, a senior authority may take over a case by written or recorded order. Between federal and state or local bodies, a case is handed over by request or agreement, not by order. Where federal law applies, federal law prevails.