As a former Deputy Public Defender in Riverside County, Mr. Donath has always been on the defense side of the law.
Top 100 Trial Attorneys in California 2012-2014, 2008 Trial Attorney of the Year by the Riverside County Public Defender's Office, and dozens of other awards and accolades.
Your lawyer should have a passion for defense, not just a passion for money. Reputation, vigor, and determination go a long way in this business.
As a former Deputy Public Defender in Riverside County, Mr. Donath has always been on the defense side of the law.
Top 100 Trial Attorneys in California 2012-2014, 2008 Trial Attorney of the Year by the Riverside County Public Defender's Office, and dozens of other awards and accolades.
Your lawyer should have a passion for defense, not just a passion for money. Reputation, vigor, and determination go a long way in this business.
Posted in California Law,Criminal Defense on April 28, 2021
When a crime is committed against a person based on their race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability, this can be classified as a hate crime. In California, hate crimes are taken seriously, and any person alleged to have committed a hate crime could face prosecution for a misdemeanor or a felony offense.
Here, we want to discuss how the law in California defines a hate crime, specifically how it differentiates a hate crime from other types of similar crimes. We will also cover the possible penalties a person could face if convicted of a hate crime as well as the elements needed for a conviction.
Hate crimes are criminal actions against any individual or group of people based on their protected status. This can include criminal actions against a person based on their:
Freedom of speech is protected under the US Constitution, and individuals are generally free to think whatever they want about other groups of people. However, speech or actions that carry credible threats against a person or group of people based on the status is listed above is illegal.
There are various types of behaviors that could be categorized as hate crimes in California. This can include threats of force against individuals, attempts to intimidate or interrupt another person from exercising their rights, damaging another person’s property, desecrating religious symbols, displaying threatening signs on another person’s property, and more.
The state of California has separated hate crimes into misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the facts related to each particular situation. For example, disorderly actions outside of a place of worship intended to intimidate those inside would be prosecuted as a misdemeanor. However, directly vandalizing a house of worship based on religious bias would likely be prosecuted as a felony offense.
Hate crimes can be standalone charges or enhancements under California law. In order for a person to be convicted with a hate crime or an enhancement, they must be found to be in violation of a law, and the prosecution must prove the following:
When we look at these three factors, it is important to point out that a person facing these charges must have intended to interfere with the victim’s legally protected rights. If there was no intent, then the hate crime charge or enhancement would not apply. Additionally, even if a person intended to commit a crime, a hate crime enhancement will only apply if the person who committed the crime did so because of the actual or perceived protected status of the victim. If you have been charged with a hate crime in California, contact our criminal lawyer in Riverside to discuss your case.