Bias-Motivated Crime (or Hate Crimes) is charged in Greeley and Weld County when a person is accused of committing a crime against another because of that person’s race, color, religion, or sexual orientation. A Denver man was recently sentenced to 5 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections after he went to trial and was found guilty of two counts of Bias-Motivated Crime and two counts of Third Degree Assault. According to the report, the man had punched one Hispanic man and kicked another while shouting racial slurs.
Weld County Bias-Motivated Crime Lawyer: Definition of Bias-Motivated Crimes in Morgan and Logan County
The Weld, Morgan and Logan County, Colorado law definition of Bias-Motivated Crimes – C.R.S. 18-9-121 – is:
(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.
Based on the information provided in the article, the man was charged with this crime under subsection (a) for causing bodily harm to the two Hispanic men. Because he yelled racial slurs at the men, the assault became a hate crime.
Hate Crime Sentence in Greeley, Johnstown and Fort Morgan
In Greeley, Johnstown and Fort Morgan, Bias Motivated Crime, or Hate Crime, is charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the actions of the accused. A charge under subsection (b) or (c) is a class 1 misdemeanor. A charge under subsection (a) is a class 5 felony unless there were multiple people helping commit the offense. Then it is charged as a class 6 felony. The man above was likely convicted of the class 5 felony.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Bias-Motivated Crimes or Hate Crimes, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 to schedule your free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
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