Georgia Hate Crime Attorney
A hate crime is a criminal act committed against a person, group, or property based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. For example, if a person assaults another person because he or she is Muslim, this can result in a hate crime charge. These types of crimes are typically motivated by prejudice or bias against a protected group.
Being convicted of a hate crime could result in amplified penalties. For example, if a person defaces the property of a person because he or she is of another race, the offender will not only face penalties for the damage to person property, he or she will also face increased consequences for perpetrating the crime based on bias. The purpose of these enhanced penalties for hate crimes is to show that committing hate crimes is taken seriously and to deter others from committing similar acts.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation monitors hate crime incidents that occur in the United States. According to their statistics, the majority of hate crimes are committed by people under the age of 20. Racial bias accounts for the majority of hate crimes, followed by religious bias, sexual orientation bias, and national origin bias.
Georgia is one of five states that do not currently have hate crime laws that protect groups based on their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. However, Georgia does have strict laws regarding vandalism committed against a place of worship. Any person who maliciously desecrates or defaces a church, mosque, synagogue, or other place of religious worship could be sentenced to between one and five years in a state prison.
Fighting a Hate Crime Charge
If you are convicted of a hate crime, you could end up with a criminal record that will come back to haunt you. Because these records can be accessed by third parties, you could lose your current job or have problems seeking future employment. Schools and banks can also view your criminal record, potentially affecting your relationship with these institutions.
If you have been accused of a hate-based crime, you should speak to an experienced Georgia hate crime attorney at HTW&W right away. An attorney can give you advice on the next steps that should be taken in order to secure the best possible outcome.
