Top Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA Hate Crime Lawyers Near You
Call a Respected Criminal Defense Attorney Serving All of Southern California
When Results Matter Most, Put 42 Years of Criminal Defense to Work For You! Open 24/7. Free Consultation.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
260 St. Ann's Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Clients who need legal help with Hate Crime concerns can contact Law Offices of Barry T. Simons, a reputable law firm in Palos Verdes Peninsula, California.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
6345 Balboa Blvd, Suite 247, Encino, CA 91316
If you need Hate Crime help in California, contact Law Office of Gregory Rubel, a local practice in Palos Verdes Peninsula, for legal representation.
Free Consultation
16520 Bake Parkway, Suite 280, Irvine, CA 92618
Representing people in Palos Verdes Peninsula, California with their Hate Crime issues.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
500 North Central Ave, Suite 610, Glendale, CA 91203
Other Nearby Offices
Connect with a local Palos Verdes Peninsula, California firm for experienced Hate Crime legal representation.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
23679 Calabasas Road, Suite 412, Calabasas, CA 91302
Assisting people in California with their Hate Crime needs. Learn More.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
1440 N Harbor Blvd, Suite 900, Fullerton, CA 92835
Contact Law Offices of David Borsari for experienced Hate Crime guidance in Palos Verdes Peninsula, California.
Free Consultation
777 S. Figueroa St, Suite 2000, Los Angeles, CA 90017
633 West Fifth Street, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, CA 90071
620 Newport Center Dr., Suite 1100, Newport Beach, CA 92660
555 South Flower Street, 31st Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071
3838 Carson Street, Suite 302, Torrance, CA 90503
14401 Sylvan Street, Suite 100, Van Nuys, CA 91401
500 N Brand Blvd, Suite 1125, Glendale, CA 91203
433 North Camden Drive, Suite 400, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
4192 Brockton Ave, Suite# 100, Riverside, CA 92501
888 West 6th St, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017
1230 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 300, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
1010 Wilshire Blvd, Ste.1415, Los Angeles, CA 90017
8383 Wilshire Blvd, #830, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
424 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
420 Exchange, Suite 270, Irvine, CA 92602
Riverside Barrister Building, 3993 Market Street, Riverside, CA 92501
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1400, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
17581 Irvine Blvd., Suite 108, Tustin, CA 92780-3123
10940 Wilshire Blvd, 16th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Palos Verdes Peninsula Hate Crime Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Hate Crime attorneys in Palos Verdes Peninsula and checks their standing with California bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience
Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.Good Standing
Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.Annual Review
Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.Client Commitment
Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
What Is a Hate Crime?
A hate crime, or bias crime, is typically referenced as an offense that involves targeted persecution (often physical, but also emotional or psychological) of an individual for their (perceived or real) membership in a particular religious, racial, ethnic, gender or LGBTQ group. Some states, also protect political affiliation under state-level hate crime or bias crime statutes.
An individual committing assault against a victim due to the victim being an observant Muslim, a religion for which the offender has demonstrated deep-seated animosity, would qualify as a hate crime for example.
Types of Hate Crimes
A hate crime is an unlawful act motivated by bias based on race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability. A “hate” offense is not in and of itself a crime, but the charge enhances the possible penalties. Once the prosecutor has proved that a defendant committed a crime and the offense was motivated by hate toward a specific group or characteristic, the severity of the punishment increases.
What States Don’t Have Hate Crime Laws?
While hate crimes are federally mandated laws, three states — namely Wyoming, South Carolina and Arkansas — do not carry state-level hate crime or bias crime statutes.
Is a Hate Crime a Felony?
At the federal level, hate crimes are generally classified as felonies given that there is a requisite harming, or serious attempt to do harm, to a victim. The punishment for a hate crime depends on the severity of the offense. If the assault results in the death of the victim, an attempt to kill the victim, aggravated sexual abuse of the victim or kidnapping — the maximum penalty can include life imprisonment. Otherwise, the maximum penalty is no more than 10 years in jail.
State level laws vary in the handling of hate crimes or bias crimes, with most jurisdictions allowing both misdemeanor and felony charges related to hate crimes. In some states, all hate crimes are considered to be felonies, while in others, hate crimes can either be classified as misdemeanors or as felony offenses.
The penalty for misdemeanor hate crime-related charges typically reaches a maximum of one year in county jail in addition to restitution or monetary fines, while those convicted of felony hate crime-related charges could face up to 10, 15 or even 20 years imprisonment, depending on the particulars of their offense.
How Is a Hate Crime Different From Other Crimes?
A hate crime differs from other categories of crime in two particularly ways.
First, the majority of other crimes focus their requisites in the realm of individual rights, responsibilities and the relationship between the offender and the victim outside of most sociopolitical framing. Hate crimes, rely almost entirely on the necessity for the offender to have an ideological reason (based on a deeply rooted bias or hate for one or more of the victim’s identity or biological groups) to motivate their criminal actions.
Second, hate crime-related charges are typically sought as penalty enhancements rather than as stand-alone charges. It is rare to see hate crime charges alone, rather than with other offenses such as assault, attempted murder or murder, sexual abuse and battery. Hate crime-related charges allow prosecutors, in most jurisdictions, to seek escalated penalties for the alleged perpetrator in response to the severity and maliciousness of their offense(s).
Have You Been Charged With a Hate Crime?
If you are convicted of a hate crime, your punishment can be increased and you could face serious time in prison. Call a Chicago attorney skilled in the defense of hate crimes to ensure you receive the best representation and avoid being sentenced to an enhanced penalty.
What to Do if Facing Federal Hate Crime Charges
If you are facing federal hate crime charges, it is strongly advised that you seek the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney at your earliest convenience.
Not only can retaining skilled and attentive legal counsel increase your odds of avoiding a conviction for hate crime-related charges, but also, in the event that taking your case to trial may prove disadvantageous, your lawyer will be best equipped to negotiate any potential plea deal on your behalf.
A conviction on charges related to hate or bias crimes is a serious matter, leaving you with a criminal record. For these reasons, among others, it is vitally important to retain adequate legal counsel.