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Hate Crimes In California: Felonies, Misdemeanors, And Enhancements

In Ojai this week, two people were arrested after an alleged hate crime incident involving two teenaged boys. During the incident, 22-year-old Daniel Dockery and 29-year-old Shauna Criner were said to have harassed and threatened two boys on a street corner. During the alleged crime, witnesses say that the pair used racial slurs and sexual slurs during the encounter and threatened to kill the two boys. Dockery identified himself as a Skinhead.

But what is a hate crime, and what are the consequences of being charged with a hate crime in California? Hate crimes are crimes in which a person is victimized due to their race, their sexuality, a disability, their religion, their background, or their nationality. Hate crimes often but not always involve crimes such as harassment, physical assault, sexual assault, murder, attempted murder, or property destruction. While everyone in America is entitled to free speech, and while it is legal to speak out against those with differences, such as people of color, it is absolutely not legal to act violently on your beliefs.

In California, there are several different types of hate crime laws which can be broken down into hate crime felonies, hate crime misdemeanors, and hate crime enhancements. A hate crime felony could consist of vandalism or destruction of property because of a religious or racist bias or threats that obstructs a group’s civil rights. A hate crime incident could consist of terrorizing a person through displaying threatening signs or symbols or disorderly conduct at a religious assembly due to religious or racial bias. Hate crime enhancements occur when another crime, such as murder assault, takes place because of a victim’s race, religion, or sexual orientation.

If you have been charged with a hate crime felony, a hate crime incident, or a hate crime enhancement in Ventura County, it is important to speak with a criminal defense attorney about the details of your specific case. Call us today to speak with one of our attorneys and get your voice heard.

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