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Denver Bias-Motivated Crimes Attorney | Man Criminally Charged After Screaming Racial Slurs

Posted by Unknown | Aug 07, 2018 | 0 Comments

Threatening to harm someone because of their race is charged as Bias-Motivated Crimes (Hate Crimes) in Denver, Aurora, and Castle Rock. A Longmont man is facing this charge, along with Menacing, after an altercation at his apartment complex pool. According to the report, the man was intoxicated and began screaming racial slurs at a Hispanic family after one of the family members bumped into another person or splashed them in the pool and didn't apologize. He called them various racially charged names and went back to his apartment returning with something wrapped in a towel, which he claimed to be a gun. The police were called, but the family had left the area by the time they arrived. Once the family was located, they were interviewed and a warrant was issued for the man.

Adams County Bias-Motivated Crime Lawyer: Definition of Bias Motivated Crimes in Jefferson County

The Adams and Jefferson County, Colorado law definition of Bias-Motivated Crimes – C.R.S. 18-9-121 – is:

“(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.”

Whether the man actually had a gun or not, the family stated that they were afraid that he did and that they would be hurt by him, which meets the standards of subsection (b), which is why the man is facing the hate crime charge.

Sentence for Bias-Motivated Crimes / Hate Crimes in Douglas and Arapahoe County

In Arapahoe and Douglas County, Bias-Motivated Crime is a class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by 6 to 18 months in the Arapahoe County Jail and up to $5,000 in fines. If, however, the man had physically injured any of the family members, the Bias-Motivated Crime would have been charged as a class 5 felony.

Get Help Now

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 Sawyer Legal Group at 303-830-0880 to schedule your free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.Request a Free Consultation

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Get Help Now

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in the Denver area, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the top criminal defense lawyers at Sawyer Legal Group, LLC at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future. Request a Free Consultation

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