A partly enclosed coastal body of water in which river water is mixed with seawater is called an estuary. An estuary is thus defined by salinity rather than geography. Many coastal features designated by other names are in fact estuaries (for instance, Chesapeake Bay). Some of the oldest continuous civilizations have flourished in estuarine environments (for example, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the Nile delta, and the Ganges delta).
âFederal crimesâ refer specifically to offenses that violate U.S. federal laws. They are investigated by federal law enforcement and prosecuted by United States attorneys in federal courts with federal judges.
Crimes and Punishments. Under the RICO Act, a person can be charged with racketeering â which includes bribery, extortion, illegal drug sales, loan sharking, murder and prostitution â if he or she has committed two of the 27 federal and eight state crimes under U.S. legislation within a 10-year period.