Top Frisco, TX Hate Crime Lawyers Near You
A Criminal Law Firm Representing Clients in the Dallas Area. Call Now For Your Virtual Appointment!
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
Experienced & Successful Criminal Defense Lawyer. Don't Let One Mistake Ruin Your Life.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Criminal Charges Should Not Define You.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
Extensive courtroom experience in cases involving complex charges and challenging criminal law matters.
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys Serving The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
3006 Cole Ave, Dallas, TX 75204
8111 Preston Road, Suite 550, Dallas, TX 75225
1300 South University Drive, Suite 318, Fort Worth, TX 76107
4131 N. Central Expy., Suite 680, Dallas, TX 75204
4354 West Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107
5700 West Plano Parkway, Suite 2200, Plano, TX 75093
2828 E Trinity Mls Rd, Suite 221, Carrollton, TX 75006
1900 N Pearl St, Suite 1800, Dallas, TX 75201
3010 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75234
2500 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 600, Plano, TX 75093
2221 East Lamar Boulevard, Suite 800, Arlington, TX 76006
701 West Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102
1845 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Suite 1500, Dallas, TX 75201
5600 Tennyson Parkway, Suite 290, Plano, TX 75024
3811 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Turtle Creek Centre, Suite 1400, Dallas, TX 75219
101 South Woodrow Lane, Suite 102, Denton, TX 76205
3131 McKinney Ave., Suite 800, Dallas, TX 75204
1612 Summit Ave, Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX 76102
200 Crescent Court, Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75201
1700 Commerce Street, Suite 800, Dallas, TX 75201
200 Crescent Ct, Suite 1000, Dallas, TX 75201
2121 N. Pearl Street, Suite 900, Dallas, TX 75201
2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 5200, Dallas, TX 75201
2501 N Harwood St, Suite 1850, Dallas, TX 75201
100 Crescent Court, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75201
Frisco Hate Crime Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Hate Crime attorneys in Frisco and checks their standing with Texas 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.