New Jersey Hate Crimes Lawyers Defend the Rights and Reputation of Clients Accused in Federal Court of Committing Crimes Against Marginalized Groups
The federal government treats crimes of violence more seriously when motivated by a victim’s protected characteristic or perceived characteristic, such as race, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation. If you’ve been charged under the federal hate crimes statute, you may face substantial prison time if convicted. You need experienced legal representation to protect your rights and reputation. Turn to the federal hate crime defense attorneys of Agre & St. John for help. With seven decades of combined legal experience, our attorneys have worked on hundreds of criminal cases as both prosecutors and defense attorneys. Our backgrounds give us unique insight into how the government prepares and prosecutes criminal cases, allowing us to pursue effective legal strategies to obtain great results for our clients.
When you’ve been arrested and charged of committing hate crimes under federal law, you may be facing serious penalties in the event of a conviction. Contact Agre & St. John for a free, confidential case evaluation to speak with our New Jersey hate crimes lawyers about your legal options for facing your charges.
When facing federal charges, trust Agre & St. John's experienced attorneys to mount a vigorous defense and protect your rights in complex federal criminal cases. Call 856-454-8674 or complete our online contact form for a confidential consultation.
What Is the Federal Hate Crimes Statute?
The federal hate crimes statute is contained at 18 U.S.C. s. 249. The statute outlaws willfully causing injury or attempting to cause injury through fire, firearms, dangerous weapons, or explosive or incendiary devices, because of the victim’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. The federal hate crimes statute gets triggered when:
- During the offense, the perpetrator or victim travels across state lines or national borders, or uses a channel, facility, or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce
- The perpetrator uses a channel, facility, or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce
- The perpetrator uses a firearm, dangerous weapon, explosive, or incendiary device that has traveled in interstate or foreign commerce
- The crime interferes with the victim’s commercial or economic activity, or otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce
- The crime occurs in the special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States
The hate crimes statute covers crimes against victims who have a protected characteristic or who are perceived by the perpetrator to have a protected characteristic, even if the perpetrator turns out to be mistaken.
In most cases, conviction under the hate crimes statute carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. However, courts can impose life imprisonment for hate crimes that involve kidnapping or attempted kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault or attempted aggravated sexual assault, attempted murder, or someone’s death.
Defenses to Hate Crimes Charges
Defenses to hate crimes charges that may act as a complete defense to prosecution or decrease the grading of the offense from a hate crime to an ordinary criminal offense include:
- You lacked the intent to injure the alleged victim
- You did not use a firearm, dangerous weapon, or explosive/incendiary device
- You were part of a group whose individuals committed the hate crime, but you did not act as an accomplice or co-conspirator for the crime
- You did not target the victim based on an actual or perceived protected characteristic
Don't face federal charges alone – schedule a confidential consultation with Agre & St. John's skilled defense team to understand your options and build a robust defense strategy.
Let the Federal Hate Crimes Defense Attorneys at Agre & St. John Help You Fight Your Charges
If you’ve been charged with federal hate crimes, you may be facing severe penalties and long-term impacts to your reputation and future. You deserve strong legal counsel who will pursue your defense just as hard or harder than the government prosecutors pursue a conviction in your case. Turn to the New Jersey hate crimes lawyers of Agre & St. John to help you seek the best possible outcome to your charges by:
- Thoroughly investigating the government’s allegations to obtain all available evidence that may be useful to your defense
- Helping you understand your charges and the potential outcomes of your case, and preparing you for each stage of the prosecution, so you are empowered to make the best decisions for your interests
- Identifying possible defense strategies in your case
- Filing motions to exclude evidence or reduce or dismiss your charges to challenge the government’s case against you at every stage
- Vigorously negotiating with prosecutors to secure a favorable plea deal, if appropriate, or advocating your defense at trial if you choose to fight your charges
Contact Us for a Free Confidential Consultation to Speak with Our New Jersey Hate Crimes Lawyers About Your Legal Options in Your Case
Federal hate crimes charges can have serious consequences for your reputation and freedom. Contact Agre & St. John today for a free consultation to learn more about how our federal hate crimes defense attorneys will advocate on your behalf throughout your case and aggressively pursue a favorable resolution to your charges.
