Charges of committing a hate crime are extremely serious. Anyone suspected of a hate crime can expect to face contempt, controversy and a harsh prosecution. That is because hate crimes involve some form of threat, intimidation, harassment, or serious physical harm against another individual solely based on their religion, race, ethnic background, sexual orientation, mental, or physical disability. Similar to sex crimes involving a minor child, hate crimes are viewed as a direct assault on the moral values many people hold dear; as a result, the public at large is anxious to hand down quick judgment and demand heavy penalties for hate crimes.
Are you being accused of committing a hate crime?
Anyone who is facing a hate crime charge must realize they are facing severe penalties based on the extent of damage or injury caused. The penalty for a hate crime involving damage to an individual’s personal property can include up to 1 year in jail, $5000 fine, and up to 400 hours community service. A misdemeanor may become a felony if it is determined that the crime was motivated by hate against someone’s race, religion, sexual orientation, or other defining factor. The penalties for a felony hate crime are up to 1 year in prison and/or a fine of $10,000.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a hate crime, we strongly advise you consult with an attorney from our firm right away. Our attorneys can review your case, evaluate all evidence, challenge any false witness statements or evidence entered in by the prosecution, and direct you on how best to proceed. Do not leave your future up to chance. A simple accusation of a hate crime may be enough to damage your reputation and severely impact your life. Our attorneys are dedicated to giving you the excellent service and aggressive representation you deserve.
Okabe & Haushalter: Protecting Your Reputation
Due to the commitment of our attorneys, our firm has amassed a large number of successes on behalf of our clients. We work tirelessly to help our clients take full advantage of the protection of the justice system. Our firm is broadly recognized as one of the premier criminal defense firms in the state, and we handle both state and federal cases. We are nationally recognized legal analysts for CNN, Headline News, and many other local stations. We have been involved in a number of high-profile cases including the OJ Simpson robbery case, the Michael Jackson case, the Jesse James case, and other notable criminal defense cases seen in the media.