In Illinois Hate crimes are serious charges prosecuted aggressively under our law, and a great Chicago Hate crime defense lawyer is a must. If you have been charged with an offense of this nature, you need the services of a skilled criminal defense lawyer team with the experience and knowledge necessary to fight on your behalf and make sure that despite the emotions, you're treated fairly. We've been helping people defend themselves since the early '80s, and we can help you.
What is a hate crime?
Hate crimes under Illinois law are crimes committed out of motivation 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
- Mob Action
- Vandalism
- Harassment
- Electronic Harassment or Stalking
Potential Penalties
If convicted of a hate crime, the possible punishments may severely limit your personal freedom. Possible sentencing in felony hate crime charges begin with imprisonment in an Illinois state penitentiary for 1-3 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 can assess your case and help determine your options and defenses. We 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 an attorney inexperienced in criminal defense; call our team today to enlist the help of one of our criminal defense attorneys for your case!