Federal tickets are issued by law enforcement personnel from federal agencies for offenses committed on federal property, military institutions, or for certain federal offenses that occur on private property.

Common offenses that result in these federal citations include speeding, vandalism, driving under the influence (DUI), and possession of marijuana or other controlled substances; however, any criminal activity in a protected location can result in a citation or arrest, including violent crimes.

You might also receive a ticket for certain offenses at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, the Big South Fork National River in Oneida, the Appalachian Trail, the Cumberland Gap, or one of Tennessee’s many other national parks and sites.

Many citations require a mandatory appearance in federal court, though some citations will state on the document that you have the option of attending court on a certain date or paying the prescribed fine. If you pay the fine, you will not need to attend court; but paying may result in unintended consequences. For example, certain states may treat such payment as an admission of guilt; a driving-related offense may affect your driver’s license; and it may appear on certain criminal background checks.