Virginia Beach Hate Crimes Attorney

If you have been watching the news recently, you’ve probably heard the term “hate crime” at one point or another. According to the FBI, any criminal act that is committed against another individual because of his or her religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin is a hate crime. Recently, federal and state laws have been enacted to prevent crimes motivated by these types of bias. As a result of these new laws, individuals who are charged with committing hate crimes often face additional charges for their offense, as well as increased penalties. If you have been charged with committing a hate crime in the state of Virginia, it is important for you to contact a Virginia Beach hate crimes attorney immediately.

The Hate Crime Statistics Act was passed in 1990. This federal law requires each state’s justice department to keep track of all hate crimes in their area. Since the law went into effect, data shows that, while the total number of hate crimes committed each year is decreasing, such offenses are still relatively common in our nation.

In Virginia, a person who is convicted of assaulting an individual because of his or her race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or religion may be sentenced to a minimum 30-day jail sentence if the victim was not seriously injured. As a Class 1 Misdemeanor, the offense will also be reported on the offender’s criminal record—where it can be seen by employers, housing providers, and educational institutions for years to come.

For hate crimes that involve bodily injury (also known as battery charges), the individual can be charged with a Class 6 felony and, if convicted, serve a minimum of six months in a county jail or federal prison. Due to the serious nature of felony offenses, many employers will not consider hiring anyone who has been convicted of a felony. In addition, a felony conviction can lead to the loss of certain rights, including the right to own a gun, carry a passport, and/or vote.

Statistics show that most hate crimes are committed by individuals under the age of 20 and, in most cases, the victim and accused are strangers. Although there are exceptions to this rule, when the accused knows his or her victim personally, it is typically not classified as a hate crime.

If you have been charged with committing a hate crime in Virginia, you need an experienced attorney on your side—Michael C. Tillotson is just that. With over a decade of trial experience, Mr. Tillotson is well-versed in hate crime laws, and can use this knowledge to determine whether the charges against you are valid. Get the aggressive representation you deserve. Contact Mr. Tillotson today for a free consultation on your hate crime case.