Top Woodstock, MD Hate Crime Lawyers Near You
Fighting for Everyday People in Tough Situations
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Baltimore Premier Criminal Defense Firm, Handling both Federal and State Cases for over 33 years, including Internet Sex Crimes.
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Maryland's Premier Criminal Lawyer & Law Firm....Super Lawyer Nominated 2013-Present
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A Law Firm Dedicated to Fighting For Your Rights
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Maryland Super Lawyers 2008-2013. Best Lawyers in America 2007-2018. "AV Rated" by Martindale-Hubbell, Highest Peer Review Rating in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards.
1435 Sulphur Spring Road, 1st Floor, Baltimore, MD 21227
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Get assistance for your Hate Crime issue in the Woodstock, Maryland area. Law Offices of Charles L. Waechter can help.
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210 W Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 100-F, Baltimore, MD 21204
Gary S. Bernstein, P.A. can help you find legal solutions for your Hate Crime issue. The practice serves the Woodstock, Maryland area.
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1001 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
1301 York Rd, Suite 200, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093
300 E Lombard St, Suite 900, Baltimore, MD 21202
303 W Pennsylvania Ave, Towson, MD 21204
614 Edmonson Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228
307 West Pennsylvania Avenue, Towson, MD 21204
6510 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21209
100 International Dr, Suite 700, Baltimore, MD 21202
111 S Calvert St, Suite 2000, Baltimore, MD 21202
10015 Old Columbia Road, Suite B-215, Columbia, MD 21046
100 Light Street, 26th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202
250 W Pratt St, Suite 2200, Baltimore, MD 21201
7226 Lee DeForest Drive, Suite 101, Columbia, MD 21046
200 S Main St, Bel Air, MD 21014
301 Main St, Ste 1D, Reisterstown, MD 21136
3 South Frederick St., Suite 900, Baltimore, MD 21202
1 North Charles Street, Suite 2470, Baltimore, MD 21201
102 W Pennsylvania Ave, Ste 200, Towson, MD 21204-4526
116 B Cathedral Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
606 Baltimore Ave, Suite 407, Towson, MD 21204
1116 West Street, Suite C, Annapolis, MD 21401
2191 Defense Hwy, Suite 400, Crofton, MD 21114
PO Box 533, Ellicott City, MD 21041
Woodstock Hate Crime Information
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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.