The Sanders Firm, P.C.: Hate Crimes Described
In New York City, The Sanders Firm, P.C. provides legal representation to those who have been accused of hate crimes. Hate crimes are considered to be a class A-I felony offense and carry stiff sentences with the minimum being twenty years. In Article 485, there is a long list of specified offenses that are listed as hate crimes.
Hate Crimes in New York
Hate crime are described under Article 485.00 New York Penal Law. In creating hate crime laws, the legislature offered its observations findings regarding these crimes under Article 485.00 Legislative. In part it reads:
“The legislature finds and determines as follows: criminal acts involving violence, intimidation and destruction of property based upon bias and prejudice have become more prevalent in New York state in recent years. The intolerable truth is that in these crimes, commonly and justly referred to as “hate crimes”, victims are intentionally selected, in whole or in part, because of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation. Hate crimes do more than threaten the safety and welfare of all citizens. They inflict on victims incalculable physical and emotional damage and tear at the very fabric of free society. Crimes motivated by invidious hatred toward particular groups not only harm individual victims but send a powerful message of intolerance and discrimination to all members of the group to which the victim belongs. Hate crimes can and do intimidate and disrupt entire communities and vitiate the civility that is essential to healthy democratic processes. In a democratic society, citizens cannot be required to approve of the beliefs and practices of others, but must never commit criminal acts on account of them.”
The New York State legislature found that previously the law did not adequately address the gravity of these crimes and thus they enacted hate crime legislation.
Types of Hate Crimes
Hate crimes are specifically related to someone selecting someone and committing an act or acts against someone because of their “race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation.” Assault, menacing, stalking, manslaughter, murder, reckless endangerment, harassment, petit larceny, grand larceny, sexual abuse, burglary, robbery, coercion, and various other crimes against the person or involving property may be considered hate crimes if the person committing the act was influenced to a large part by those qualities outlined in this paragraph.
Know Your Rights
At The Sanders Firm, P.C., we believe that everyone needs to know their rights. If charged with a hate crime, it is best to seek legal counsel before agreeing to answer any questions posed by law enforcement officials. It is your right to remain silent, to have a lawyer represent you, and to be afforded due process. If you do answer questions while being interrogated anything you say or do may be used against you during your trial.
A Fair trial
Contact The Sanders Firm, P.C., if you are facing charges related to a hate crime. We will meet with you, be with you during questioning, and defend you and your rights through the entire process. At The Sanders Firm, P.C., we believe that everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We are your voice for justice in the New York criminal justice system.
