Washington Hate Crime Lawyer
Have you been cited for committing a Hate Crime? Do not face this charge alone! Let Weber Law help you today!
In every state in the United States, no matter where you live, hate crime charges is as serious as cancer. Washington is no different. These can be nerve wracking charges to face alone; let Weber Law help you today!
Washington Hate Crime Charges and Penalties
What is a Hate Crime?
In Washington, a person is guilty of a hate crime offense if he or she maliciously and intentionally commits one of the following acts because of his or her perception of the victim’s, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or mental, physical, or sensory disability:
1. Causes physical injury to the victim or another person;
2. Causes physical damage to or destruction of the property of the victim or another person;
or
3. Threatens a specific person or group of persons and places that person, or members of the specific group of persons, in reasonable fear of harm to person or property.
The fear must be a reasonable fear of harm to person or property. The fear must be a fear that a reasonable person would have under all the circumstances. Threat means to communicate, directly or indirectly, the intent to cause bodily injury immediately or in the future to the person threatened or to any other person; or cause physical damage immediately or in the future to the property of a person threatened or that of any other person.
Specific examples of a Hate Crimes
Specific examples of a hate crime that are included in the statute are when a person:
• Burns a cross on property of a victim who is or whom the actor perceives to be of African American heritage;
• Defaces property of a victim who is or whom the actor perceives to be of Jewish heritage by defacing the property with a swastika;
• Defaces religious real property with words, symbols, or items that are derogatory to persons of the faith associated with the property;
• Places vandalized or defaced religious item or scripture on the property of a victim who is or whom the actor perceives to be of the faith with which that item or scripture is associated;
• Damages, destroys, or defaces religious garb or other faith-based attire belonging to the victim or attempts to or successfully removes religious garb or other faith-based attire from the victim’s person without the victim’s authorization; or
• Places a noose on the property of a victim who is or whom the actor perceives to be a racial or ethnic minority group.
A person can still be prosecuted for committing a hate crime even if it does not fall under the above referenced examples.
If another crime is committed during the commission a hate crime, that person can be punished and prosecuted for the other crime separately.
The definition of hate crime can include so many things that it is so important to have legal counsel who is confident and knowledgeable in the laws of the State of Washington.
What is the Punishment?
A hate crime is a class C felony.
A class C felony is punishable by imprisonment for five years, or by a fine of $10,000.00, or both.
Even as a Defendant of a Crime, you still have Rights! Make sure yours were not violated!
Even as an individual facing criminal charges, you have rights. It is important to know those rights and make sure that they were not violated in any way when you were arrested or charged. Without extensive knowledge of your rights when it comes to police searches, Miranda rights, and your rights when it comes to arrest, it is extremely difficult to get a dismissal or reduction of your charges. Do not try and fight these charges on your own, Weber Law is ready to help you today.
Contact Weber Law immediately if you’ve been arrested on a hate crime charge. We offer a free confidential case evaluation – serving Seattle and the surrounding areas.
"He did everything he could to solve my case. There was no moment where I felt like I was alone. He went to his full extent to help me lower my charges. Great lawyer.”
What should you do if you are being charged with a Hate Crime and how can Weber Law help?
If you have been accused of a hate crime, no matter the circumstances, let Weber Law help you today. It can be a stressful situation to have criminal charges pending and Weber Law will work for you. Let Weber Law work to have your citation dismissed or dropped to a lower offense. If that is not possible, we will negotiate the best deal for you, which could include a shorter jail time or no jail time, and a lesser fine.
There are potential defenses against a charge of a hate crime, which include but are not limited to being falsely accused, and a misunderstanding.
Weber Law will look at every aspect of your case, including people you know and even your prior criminal record. Let Weber Law build the best defense for you! A charge of a hate crime on your record could potentially hurt future job offers and ruin your record. Weber Law is experienced in defending these charges and getting you back to a life free of criminal charges. It is never a good idea to face these charges without an attorney. The court room can be an intimidating place. You need someone with experience to represent you. Let Weber Law’s experienced attorneys fight for you in court. If you or someone you know has been accused of a hate crime in Washington, contact Weber Law today for a consultation.
WA ST § 9A.36.080, Hate crimes offense – Definition and criminal penalty.
WA ST § 9A.20.021, Maximum sentences for crimes committed July 1, 1984, and after.
A Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You
Weber Law will aggressively fight for your rights. Contact us today!
We believe that justice is an idea that can triumph only when living people make it so. We are dedicated to justice. We wish to run a business that is at once profitable while allowing us to promote the rights of our fellow community members. We will stand for the poor when they are in need and their cause is just. We will work for any responsible business. We will represent all races, creeds, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.
Office Address:
810 3rd Avenue Suite 120, Seattle, WA 98104