Top Denton, TX Hate Crime Lawyers Near You
A Criminal Law Firm Representing Clients in the Dallas Area. Call Now For Your Virtual Appointment!
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Experienced & Successful Criminal Defense Lawyer. Don't Let One Mistake Ruin Your Life.
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Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys Serving The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
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Criminal Charges Should Not Define You.
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701 East 15th Street, Suite 204, Plano, TX 75074
For legal issues concerning Hate Crime, let The Shapiro Law Firm, a local practice in Denton, Texas, help you find a solution.
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3300 Maple Avenue, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75219
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Mark A. Perez, Attorney at Law represents clients in Hate Crime cases in the Denton, Texas area.
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1312 14th Street, Suite 100, Plano, TX 75074
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Clients needing legal solutions for Hate Crime can connect with Pelley Law Office, L.L.P., a local Texas practice.
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2828 E Trinity Mls Rd, Suite 221, Carrollton, TX 75006
1300 South University Drive, Suite 318, Fort Worth, TX 76107
1900 N Pearl St, Suite 1800, Dallas, TX 75201
4131 N. Central Expy., Suite 680, Dallas, TX 75204
2221 East Lamar Boulevard, Suite 800, Arlington, TX 76006
3010 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75234
2500 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 600, Plano, TX 75093
701 West Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102
1845 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Suite 1500, Dallas, TX 75201
3811 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Turtle Creek Centre, Suite 1400, Dallas, TX 75219
900 Jackson St, Suite 635, Dallas, TX 75202
901 Main Street, Suite 4800, Dallas, TX 75202-3758
930 W 1st St, Suite 202, Fort Worth, TX 76102
101 Summit Ave, Suite 1020, Fort Worth, TX 76102
3500 Maple Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75219
15455 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 540, Addison, TX 75001
1717 Main Street, Suite 5400, Dallas, TX 75201
8100 John W. Carpenter Fwy, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75247
108 West Main Street, Waxahachie, TX 75165
5600 Tennyson Parkway, Suite 290, Plano, TX 75024
101 South Woodrow Lane, Suite 102, Denton, TX 76205
3131 McKinney Ave., Suite 800, Dallas, TX 75204
Denton 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.