The penalties for federal crimes differ based on the charge. However, there are a few penalties that are common among federal crimes as a whole. State crimes may allow you to serve less time in prison or jail; however, in federal court, you will have to serve 85 percent of your sentence if convicted of federal charges. For example, if you are sentenced to 10 years, you will have to serve at least 8.5.
If you are convicted of a federal crime, you may also have to serve your sentence in a federal prison rather than a state-run facility and face monetary fines and restitution, depending on the type of crime.