Can an FBI agent issue a traffic ticket or cite someone for something like littering?

Question

Or any federal agent such as a Marshall, DEA, ATF, etc? I wouldn't think they would waste their time, unless someone really upsets them, but do they have that authority? Thanks.

Answer 1

Yes, they can.

HOW they do it will vary depending on state law.

Some states give police authority to federal officers, some do not.

In any case, they can always sign a complaint against you, just like any other citizen can.

Answer 2

No. The departments you listed are federal agencies, and only enforce federal law.

Traffic laws are determined by state law, so federal agencies have no jurisdiction. Littering is also a state law, unless it is in a national park. The National Park Service would have jurisdiction there.

Answer 3

AN FBI Agent has no authority to do so off of federal property, however, certain federal officers who are tasked with patrolling federal properties can and will (Postal Police, DOD Police, Park Service Rangers, Veteran's Affairs Police, Federal Protective Service Police, Secret Service Uniformed Officers and FBI Police Officers are good examples)

Answer 4

Just to clear up one thing. There are plenty of federal laws that cover things like traffic ordnances, littering ect that apply on federal property. I know a few Federal Protective Service Officers and they hand out plenty of tickets down town and in my days as military police, I gave a out few US District Court tickets for traffic violations. I know Military police isn't the same thing as an FBI agenct, but the District Court traffic tickets are handled the same as any other federal agency.

So basically, you can get a ticket from a federal officer depending on his jurisdiction.

However to the best of my knowledge, the DEA, ATF, FBI, ect do not give out ticket books. And the violation would have to have occurred on federal property (such as a military base or park) or adjacent to federal property in some cases (the streets around a federal building). No federal officer/agent/cop/whatever can give you a ticket for littering on Main Street in Small Town USA>

Answer 5

If they are on federal property, then yes they can. If you do something bad, the agents can always have a city or state police officer pull the violator over, however, most of the time federal agents have bigger problems to deal with.  

Answer 6

I don't think they can but you are right they won't waste their time.  

Answer 7

No.  State licensed peace officers (police, troopers, deputies, etc) are the ones that take care of ordinance violations.  Federal agencies don't waste their time with petty issues.