San Diego Hate Crime Defense Attorneys

What Is Considered a Hate Crime?

A hate crime is related to a violation of civil rights. The types of situations that will lead a crime to be considered a hate crime under California Penal Code Sections 422.55 – 422.75 include the following:

• Crimes related to gender
• Crimes committed against a disabled person
• Crimes committed based upon country of origin, race or ethnicity
• Crimes against individuals in various religions
• Crimes against individuals based upon sexual orientation

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Hate Crimes Are Heavily Punished: Enhanced Penalties

If you are accused of committing any crime that is based on the above factors, the crime can be deemed to be a hate crime, and allows for enhanced penalties to be imposed in a conviction.

These crimes (minor) can lead to the following penalties:

• Up to 12 months in jail
• Fines up to $5,000
• Up to 500 hours spend performing community service
• All of the above

Felony hate crime charges are those in which another person was seriously injured. Any felony offense that is considered a "hate crime" will involve the original penalty for the crime with enhanced sentencing, with an added 2–4 years in prison beyond the penalties imposed for the original offense. Any person that was involved in the crime will face the same penalties, as an aider and abettor.

What should you do if you have been charged with a hate crime? Contact our firm for a free case evaluation!

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Were There "Aggravating Factors" in Your Case?

Any felony offense that involved the use of a gun is more heavily punished. This is considered an "aggravating factors" in a hate crime and will lead the court to impose even more serious penalties. Under California Penal Code 12022.53, you can face 10 years, 20 years, or life in prison for the use of a weapon in any crime, including offenses prosecuted as a hate crime. Cases of drive-by shootings can be designated a hate crime, with enhanced penalties for both the use of a firearm and as a hate crime.

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Request a Free Consultation If You've Been Arrested in San Diego

The prosecution is given the duty to seek a conviction, and has the full support of all of the state's resources in law enforcement, labs and specialists in every field, as well as the money to hire on top experts to support a case. If accused of a hate crime in San Diego, it is imperative that you are represented by an equally powerful San Diego violent crime attorney. Our lead and founding attorney, James N. Dicks, is one of our states few board certified criminal law specialists and has an impressive track record.

Call (760) 630-2000 today for skilled defense counsel in your criminal case.

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