In Weld County and Greeley, Colorado, a Bias-Motivated Crime or Hate Crime, is a serious accusation and one that needs an experienced lawyer to help you get the best outcome. A Bias Motivated Crime allegedly happened to a University of Northern Colorado student off campus, in August. The Greeley Police and UNC Police are investigating an attack on a student that was possibly motivated by race. Knowing the criminal charges against you can give you a great advantage in the court process. Finding a criminal defense lawyer who can represent you is important. Read more below about Hate Crimes and Bias Motivated Crimes.
What is the Definition of a Bias Motivated Crime – C.R.S. 18-9-121- in Greeley, Colorado?
The Greeley, Colorado 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.
If the attack on the UNC student was due to the person’s color of skin, race, religion, a disability, or sexual orientation, then it could be charged as a Hate Crime or Bias Motivated Crime. If the Greeley or University of Northern Colorado police come to speak with you about an incident, you must realize they are not there to see if you are innocent. They come to talk with you in order to build a case against you. Never try and “cooperate” to convince the cops not to charge you. You will lose every time.
Crimes That Could be Charged as a Hate Crime in Weld County
In Weld County, acts that are done because there is a bias against a person or a groups’ race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, physical / mental disability, or sexual orientation, can result in charges with elevated penalties. Examples of these crimes could be:
- Attacks on a home or places of worship
- Assault against a person
- Rape of a person
- Murder of someone
- Harassment by pushing or shoving or name calling
- Robbery of a man or woman
- Vandalism of a car or business owned by a minority
In Greeley, Colorado What is the Punishment or Sentence for a Bias-Motivated Crime?
A Bias Motivated Crime conviction in Greeley, Colorado, can be sentenced in different ways dependent on the crime that was committed. If the crime committed falls under subsection (a) of C.R.S. 18-9-121, because it involves physical injury to someone, it is a class 5 felony and is punishable by 1 to 3 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. If the crime is under subsection (b) or (c) it is a class 1 misdemeanor and is punishable by 6 to 18 months in the Weld County Jail. In the above story, if the attack on the student caused bodily harm, it would be charged as a class 5 felony.
Hate or Bias-Motivated Crime are complicated and if you are charged with one, you need a lawyer who understands the Greeley Court system and Colorado law. We can pull together the allegations against you, your version of what really happened, and Colorado law. In the end, if we can’t get the district attorney to do the right thing, we will set the case for trial and show the truth to a jury. Getting you acquitted of your charges is our number one priority.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Bias-Motivated 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 today. Together, we can protect your future.
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