LegalFaces.com

Can I be sued for a hate crime?

You can be sued for a hate crime in Massachusetts. What I mean by this is that, if that hate crime caused another person damage, such as malicious destruction of their property or assault and battery, that type of thing. Then absolutely, the so called victim can bring a civil complaint and sue you for the damages that they sustained. The fact that it's based on a hate crime, is going to raise what they are going to look for because a hate crime is going to be an aggravating circumstance that a jury and a judge is not going to like. I'm Sam Goldberg lead council for criminal defense matters at Altman and Altman in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I've 25 years of experience. If you're in trouble, and you need someone in your corner who cares and will fight for you, give me a call.

tags: hate crime lawsuit assault lawyer law firm conviction crime sam goldberg jail arrest criminal defense attorney defense boston massachusetts altman & altman

attorney: Altman & Altman, LLP

What constitutes a hate crime in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, any crime can be elevated to a hate crime if the circumstances surrounding the offense merit it. In other words, if there is an assault case, or a malicious destruction of property, and it is done because of hatred based on race, gender, sexual orientation, that type of thing, it's going to be prosecuted as a hate crime. As a result, the sentence involved if there is a conviction in the case is going to be stiffer. I'm Sam Goldberg, lead counsel for criminal defense matters at Altman & Altman in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I have 25 years of experience. If you're in trouble, and you need someone in your corner who cares and will fight for you, give me a call.

tags: hate crime definition assault lawyer law firm conviction crime sam goldberg jail arrest criminal defense attorney defense boston massachusetts altman & altman

attorney: Altman & Altman, LLP

How does a hate crime accusation raise the stakes in an assault case?

In Massachusetts we are very concerned about hate crimes. People are extremely sensitive to those hate crimes be it the hatred based on gender, race, sexual orientation, what have you. As a result those cases are going to first of all get more publicity and second of all be treated more harshly in the courts. It's going to be tougher. Even if in a regular assault case, for example, you might be able to get it - the case dismissed or work out a plea bargain where there is no jail, well if it's a hate crime, particularly because of the public exposure a prosecutor is going to be very reluctant -- as is the judge -- to give any kind of leniency. I am Sam Goldberg, lead counsel for criminal defense matters at Altman & Altman in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I have 25 years of experience. If you are in trouble and you need someone in your corner who cares and will fight for you, give me a call.

tags: hate crime sentencing impact assault lawyer law firm conviction crime sam goldberg jail arrest criminal defense attorney defense boston massachusetts altman & altman

attorney: Altman & Altman, LLP