Hate Crimes

Hate crimes generally consist of the commission of a traditional crime with an added element of bias and, accordingly, are defined as a criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.  Hate crimes are punishable federally as civil rights violations pursuant to the Civil Rights Act, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and other federal statutes, which are enforced by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Civil Rights Program, the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, and other federal agencies.  Many states and localities have also adopted their own hate crimes laws, and these federal agencies work closely with state and local law enforcement to help investigation allegations of hate crimes.  Hate crimes directed at the U.S. government or population may also be punishable federally as acts of domestic terrorism.

Violations of the Civil Rights Act, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and other federal hate crimes statutes are subject to significant civil and criminal penalties, including considerable fines, a term of life imprisonment, or a sentence to death where death, kidnapping, aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to commit such an act, occurs.

Given the high stakes involved, it is imperative that individuals facing federal hate crimes charges choose an attorney with the knowledge and experience necessary to defend such a case.  I have chosen to focus my practice on federal criminal defense, including hate crimes matters.  I fight hard to enforce the rights of my clients, and I believe in the integrity of that fight.

Over the last 40 years, I have earned a successful track record in high stakes federal criminal matters and have argued before the United States Supreme Court as well as other federal courts throughout the country.  If you have questions or concerns about a federal hate crimes matter, I invite you to contact me directly to discuss it at 888-700-1555 or Patrick@MullinDefense.com.  You will discuss your concerns with me personally—never an associate or a paralegal.  In addition, you should know that your contact with me, and with my firm, is privileged under the law, regardless of whether or not you decide to retain my firm to represent you.