Hate Crime Lawyer in Los Angeles
Fighting Against Conviction in Hate Crime Charges
The state and federal governments regulate laws that relate to hate crimes. Crimes that target a particular person or group based on protected categories are hate crimes - they are serious offenses and the penalties can be harsh. Individuals charged with hate crimes can benefit from an experienced criminal defense attorney knowledgeable in all areas of the law that involve hate crimes.
An effective and successful defense is necessary when faced with a serious charge of a violent crime such as this. A person charged with hate crimes should immediately contact a
Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer for legal assistance and guidance before speaking with authorities. The experienced attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff successfully defend clients against hate crime accusations.
Understanding Charges of Hate Crimes
Hate crimes are bias motivated crimes that target victims based on one or more of the following: race, religion, gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, and class. Intentionally causing harm to a target group because of a bias is against the law and is punishable by the courts. The penalties for hate crimes can include:
- Jail or prison sentence
- Significant fines
- Probation or parole
- Community service and counseling programs
Hate crimes are hard to prove because there must be clear intention that there was hatred or bias motivating the criminal act. Effective defense can challenge evidence provided by a prosecutor. Often law enforcement makes mistakes during arrest procedures and the handling of evidence. The authorities are often eager to take witness and victim statements following a crime but many times the statements are inaccurate.
The experience of our attorneys as former district attorneys helps us provide a defense based on knowledge and insight of the procedures of criminal courts. At Takakjian & Sitkoff, the lawyers in our firm utilize their experiences as a former superior court commissioner, a former police detective and a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law to provide a unique defense team that can provide competent legal counsel to individuals charged with serious hate crimes. Make an appointment today for a consultation with one of our criminal defense lawyers regarding hate crimes.
Contact a Los Angeles hate crime attorney
when charged with hate crimes.