Accused of Committing a Hate Crime?

Find Counsel from a Miami Hate Crime Attorney

Hate crimes are similar to normal crimes but the difference is the motive behind the crime. Hate crimes involve the added element of bias because of the victim's race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, political beliefs, or age, as stated by the Hate Crimes Act, which was passed in 2009.

Even though hate itself is not a crime, the act of committing a crime against another because of hateful reasons may result in it being classified as a hate crime by law enforcement. Hate crimes are typically charges that are added to other serious felony offenses like arson, battery, or assault. Have you been charged with a hate crime in Miami? Discuss your situation with a Miami hate crime lawyer from the distinguished firm of Parks & Braxton, PA.

Understanding Hate Crime Laws

Chapter 877, section 19 details hate crimes in what is known in Florida as the "Hate Crimes Reporting Act." It requires all law enforcement to keep records of hate crime incidents and report them to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. These are crimes of prejudice based upon race, religion, ethnicity, color, ancestry, sexual orientation or national origin.

Chapter 874 of the Florida Statutes, dealing with criminal gang enforcement and prevention, also details the regulations against organized groups, including hate groups whose primary purpose is to promote hostility to a certain group based on who they are.

What Penalties Could I Face?

As stated earlier, hate crimes can also include other charges both felony and misdemeanor. This charge typically is not the sole allegation. Since proving the motivation behind a crime may be difficult, you may have a very strong defense in your favor.

We can help prevent you from dealing with these potential penalties:

• Imprisonment
• Heavy fines
• Probation
• Restitution payments
• Counseling classes
• Community service

The specifics of each type of penalty can vary greatly, depending on how severe the case is deemed to be. Someone can be accused of a hate crime, whether or not an act of violence against the alleged victim took place. A hate crime can be verbal assault, harassment or vandalism because of bias against that person. If your hate crime led to the death of a person because of your actions, you could even face a life imprisonment sentence.

If you were accused or are currently being investigated with a hate crime, it is vital that you speak with our Miami hate crime attorneys to obtain counsel for your case. We can provide you with all the information you need concerning the laws and present all of the different approaches that may be appropriate for defending you.

Thousands of Cases Successfully Handled

Challenging hate crime charges can be a difficult and legally complex matter, and it is important to have the help of an experienced defense attorney on your side throughout the process. At Parks & Braxton, PA, we have the legal knowledge and resources to take on this challenge and to defeat a tough prosecution. We are relentless in pursuit of every effective defense strategy for all cases we represent, and we never back down from a challenging case.

Don't risk facing the serious penalties of a criminal conviction. Call our firm today to see how we can help! Free consultations are available at any time convenient for you.