Top Severna Park, MD Hate Crime Lawyers Near You
Maryland's Premier Criminal Lawyer & Law Firm....Super Lawyer Nominated 2013-Present
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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 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.
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 Severna Park, Maryland area.
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1435 Sulphur Spring Road, 1st Floor, Baltimore, MD 21227
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Get assistance for your Hate Crime issue in the Severna Park, Maryland area. Law Offices of Charles L. Waechter can help.
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1001 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
6914 Holabird Avenue, Suite A, Baltimore, MD 21222-1747
100 International Dr, Suite 700, Baltimore, MD 21202
111 S Calvert St, Suite 2000, Baltimore, MD 21202
303 W Pennsylvania Ave, Towson, MD 21204
614 Edmonson Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228
307 West Pennsylvania Avenue, Towson, MD 21204
100 Light Street, 26th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202
6510 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21209
7226 Lee DeForest Drive, Suite 101, Columbia, MD 21046
250 W Pratt St, Suite 2200, Baltimore, MD 21201
10015 Old Columbia Road, Suite B-215, Columbia, MD 21046
300 E Lombard St, Suite 900, Baltimore, MD 21202
One South Street, Suite 2600, Baltimore, MD 21202-3201
600 Washington Avenue, Suite 200, Towson, MD 21204
231 East Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157
189 East Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157
888 Bestgate Road, Suite 402, Annapolis, MD 21401
7419 Baltimore/Annapolis Blvd., PO Box 1330, Glen Burnie, MD 21060
3300 North Ridge Road, Suite 245, Ellicott City, MD 21043
1 W Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 900, Towson, MD 21204
1301 York Rd, Suite 200, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093
409 Washington Avenue, Suite 300, Towson, MD 21204
Severna Park Hate Crime Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Hate Crime attorneys in Severna Park and checks their standing with Maryland 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.