Top Berwyn, IL Hate Crime Lawyers Near You
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Experienced Criminal & Commercial Law Attorneys Recognized As Top Trial Lawyers. Using Common Sense & Innovative Technologies, We Welcome the Opportunity to Advocate on Your Behalf
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When the stakes are high, call Glozman Law. Our trial ready team is committed to results when facing state & federal charges.
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If you are facing serious criminal charges, find a firm who is trial ready and has a track record of success. Call to work with Frank directly - he will build your defense.
7356 N Cicero Ave, Lincolnwood, IL 60712
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Law Offices of Azita M. Mojarad, P.C. helps Berwyn clients with their Hate Crime needs.
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240 E. Lake St., Suite 109A, Addison, IL 60101
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The Law Offices of Charles Rohde & Pierina Infelise, P.C. has years of experience helping clients with their Hate Crime needs in Berwyn, Illinois.
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121 E. Liberty, Wauconda, IL 60084
If you need Hate Crime help in Illinois, contact Clay J. Mitchell, Attorney at Law, a local practice in Berwyn, for legal representation.
100 North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60606
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2200, Chicago, IL 60606
70 West Madison Street, Suite 5200, Chicago, IL 60602
303 E Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601
155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60606
555 Randall Rd, Suite 204, St. Charles, IL 60174
54 N Ottawa St, Suite 270, Joliet, IL 60432
221 N LaSalle Street, Suite 2017, Chicago, IL 60601
150 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60606
58 North Chicago St, 7th Floor, Joliet, IL 60432
140 S Dearborn St, Suite 1020, Chicago, IL 60603
47 Dupage Ct, Elgin, IL 60120
674 W. Veterans Parkway, Yorkville, IL 60560
321 N. Clark Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60654
190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3700, Chicago, IL 60603
100 N LaSalle St, Suite 812, Chicago, IL 60602
17926 South Halsted Street, Suite 3SE, Homewood, IL 60430
222 W Adams St, Suite 2250, Chicago, IL 60606
110 N Wacker Drive, Suite 3800, Chicago, IL 60606
1425 McHenry Rd, Suite 204, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
33 North Dearborn Street, Suite 1850, Chicago, IL 60602
1 North Wacker Dr, Suite 4500, Chicago, IL 60606-1901
Berwyn Hate Crime Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Hate Crime attorneys in Berwyn and checks their standing with Illinois bar associations.
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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.