Word before case or crime (7)
I believe the answer is:
federal
'word before case or crime' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for federal that I've seen before include "Of the state" , "Of central government, not its separate states" , "Common government for a group of normally autonomous states or regions" , "Relating to central government in the US" , "The F in FBI" .)