Local Law Firms Home > Criminal Defense News > Facebook Defrauder Bases Criminal Defense on Right to Sue Did you know? Criminal defense of mail fraud will be heard in a federal court. Making use of the U.S. Postal Service to commit fraud has been a federal crime since 1872, even if the defendant and victim(s) are all within the same state. However, in order for wire fraud to become a federal crime, it is necessary for the communication to have crossed a state line. |