Final answer:
Powerful elites involved in criminal activities generally face federal agencies like the FBI and potentially federal courts, up to the U.S. Supreme Court, rather than the FTC or civil courts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Powerful elites who commit crimes are most likely to appear before agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Once a crime has been committed, and if the suspect is identified as having potentially violated federal laws, or their actions involve multiple states or international borders, the FBI plays a critical role in the investigation. They collect evidence and establish cases against suspects to be presented in court. Should the case move forward, federal crimes often lead to trials in federal courts, potentially escalating to the U.S. Supreme Court if constitutional issues arise or further appeals are made.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), on the other hand, deals primarily with civil matters involving economic regulation and trade practices, rather than criminal cases. And while civil courts do handle legal disputes involving allegations of wrongful conduct, crimes by powerful elites usually fall under the jurisdiction of federal agencies and courts when they involve financial schemes or public corruption.