Words cannot express how grateful I am to you...
- Wendy C. 
Los Angeles Hate Crime Defense Attorneys 
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 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 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.
Have you been criminally accused with a hate crime?
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.
