Hate crimes are very serious charges that will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Prosecutors and law enforcement authorities have absolutely no tolerance for people accused of hate crimes and will make it their personal mission to ensure the defendant faces harsh penalties in criminal court. If you have been charged with an offense of this nature, it is imperative that you retain the services of a skilled criminal defense team with the experience and legal knowledge necessary to fight these allegations before the court.

What is a hate crime?

Hate crimes refer to a classification of crimes that are committed out of hatred or dislike for another person's race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, political affiliation, disability, gender, cultural background, etc. There are many criminal acts that could be classified as a hate crime, including, but not limited to:

• Assault and Battery
• Arson
• Vandalism
• Harassment
• Verbal Threats
• Verbal Abuse
• Physical Abuse

Potential Penalties

If convicted of a hate crime, you may be sentenced to various punishments that will severely limit your personal freedoms. Possible sentencing could include such penalties as imprisonment in a state penitentiary for 1 to 3 years, fines up to $25,000, restitution to the alleged victim, mandatory counseling and/or anger management, probation, a mark on your permanent record and more. Furthermore, if you are found guilty of a hate crime it may affect your standing in the community and your ability to find a decent job.

Our firm is prepared to assess your case and help determine your options to challenge these damaging allegations. We will vigorously investigate the charges brought against you to reveal the flaws and inconsistencies in the prosecution's case and you can be confident that your rights will be protected throughout the process. Do not leave your case in the hands of a weak public defender; call our team today to enlist an aggressive criminal defense attorney in Chicago for your case!