Hate Crimes

Hate crimes encompass a large number of criminal actions aimed at other individuals who belong to a certain demographic. Those who commit these crimes are driven to do so out of their hatred for the targeted social group. Typically, hate crimes are based upon the victim’s race, religion, country of origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, or political stance. Hate crimes are generally committed in order to terrorize or physically harm the victims.

Hate Speech

Hate crimes are clearly defined criminal acts that are directed at a certain social group based on its members’ distinguishing characteristics. Hate speech, on the other, hand, is more controversial because speech, as opposed to physical actions, is used to intimidate or emotionally damage the intended victims.

Hate Crime Statistics

In the United States, hate crimes remain quite prevalent and the frequency of such criminal actions has only increased in recent years. In 2007, there were 9,006 hate crime offenses and 9,535 hate crime victims reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These numbers only encompass those crime committed based on the victims’ sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, race, or religion. Clearly this crime is still quite common in the US.

Contact Us

If you have been convicted of a hate crime or hate speech, then a good criminal defense lawyer can help protect and defend you in court. Contact the West Palm Beach criminal defense attorneys of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. today at 561-353-2800 to speak with one of our experienced lawyers about your case.