Category: Hate Crimes

Hate crimes have been on the rise in Colorado, with a recent report from the FBI showing a 16% increase in hate crimes in the state in 2020. This rise in hate crimes has significant implications for criminal defense in Colorado. This blog post will explore the rise of hate crimes in Colorado and what it means for criminal defense.

What is a Hate Crime?

A hate crime is a

 

Assault in and of itself is a charge that can result in lengthy prison sentences, hefty fines, and a criminal record of violent crime should you be convicted.

 

However, if the prosecution determines that the assault was motivated by the alleged victim’s perceived identity, it may also be considered a hate crime – something that will bump your charges and penalties up even further.

 

Although hate crime

 

There are many motives behind assault and other violent crimes: uncontrollable emotions, a verbal altercation, intoxication, and so on. Some motives can be at least partially justified in court (i.e. a “crime of passion”), but when race or other types of biases are a factor, the case can go in the opposite way: penalties and charges may increase.

 

In other words, by arguing that you hurt someone due