In Weld County, Bias Motivated Crimes are those where the victim is targeted because of their racial group, religion, sexual orientation, disability, class, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, or political affiliation. While this is not a criminal charge by itself, if you are charged with a Bias Motivated Crime and convicted the original crime then the punishment can be more severe. You will need Greeley’s leading criminal defense attorneys to defend you and to help you understand 5 important things.
#1. What is the Definition of a Bias Motivated Crime, C.R.S. 18-9-121, in Greeley, Colorado?
In Greeley, Colorado, the definition of a Bias Motivated Crime, C.R.S. 18-9-121 is as follows:
(2) A person commits a bias-motivated crime if, with the intent to intimidate or harass another person because of that person’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation, he or she:
(a) Knowingly causes bodily injury to another person; or
(b) By words or conduct, knowingly places another person in fear of imminent lawless action directed at that person or that person’s property and such words or conduct are likely to produce bodily injury to that person or damage to that person’s property; or
(c) Knowingly causes damage to or destruction of the property of another person.
#2. Weld County Examples of Bias Motivated Crimes
A Bias Motivated Crime in Weld County, is a crime that was committed and based on another person’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation. Assault, harassment, and battery are a few criminal charges that can possess the sentence enhancement of a Bias Motivated Crime. Here are some examples of Bias Motivated crimes:
- Vandalizing a gay couple’s house with homophobic slurs.
- Attacking an Asian woman and saying racially derogatory while hitting her.
- Repeatedly following a Jewish person to their home and threating them because of their beliefs.
#3. What is the Definition of Physical or Mental Disability in a Bias Motivated Crime in Greeley, Colorado?
In Greeley, the definition of Physical or Mental Disability is defined in C.R.S. 18-6.5-102 (11), as:
(a) Is impaired because of the loss of or permanent loss of use of a hand or foot or because of blindness or the permanent impairment of vision of both eyes to such a degree as to constitute virtual blindness;
(b) Is unable to walk, see, hear, or speak;
(c) Is unable to breathe without mechanical assistance;
(d) Is a person with an intellectual and developmental disability as defined in section 25.5-10-202, C.R.S.;
(e) Is a person with a mental health disorder as the term is defined in section 27-65-102(11.5);
(f) Is mentally impaired as the term is defined in section 24-34-501(1.3)(b)(II), C.R.S .;
(g) Is blind as that term is defined in section 26-2-103(3), C.R.S.; or
(h) Is receiving care and treatment for a developmental disability under article 10.5 of title 27, C.R.S.
#4. In Weld County What is the Definition of Sexual Orientation in a Bias Motivated Crime?
The definition of Sexual Orientation in a Bias Motivated Crime is defined in C.R.S. 18-9-121 (5b), as:
#5. What are the Punishments for a Bias Motivated Crime in Greeley, Colorado?
In Greeley, the sentence or punishment for a Bias Motivated Crime is an enhancement which makes the initial criminal charge more severe. That means it could add additional jail or time in Colorado Department of Corrections, community service, and restitution. The courts take into consideration if this is a first offense for a Bias Motivated Crime, the criminal history of the defendant, and the impact on the victim.
Talk to Weld County’s leading defense attorneys about how you may be able to reduce your charges or possibly eliminate them altogether. If you are in Fort Collins and facing a Bias Motivate Crime charge, you can find more information here.
If you or someone you love has been charged with a Bias-Motivated Crime, be smart, and exercise your right to remain silent. Never forget that the Greeley Police are not there to help you or your case. They want to build a case against you, so don’t answer their questions. Contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 today. Together, we can protect your future.
Image by Sharon McCutcheon from Pixabay