Hate Crime Defense Attorneys in Glen Bernie, MD, Helping Clients Fight Serious Charges in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Montgomery County, and Throughout Maryland
Hate crimes and other types of bias incidents are punished harshly in Maryland. If you’re suspected of committing an offense motivated even partly by bias against a protected class of people, a conviction could leave you facing years or even decades in prison, as well as thousands of dollars in fines. To protect your future, you need a team of dedicated Maryland hate crime lawyers fighting for you.
At Maronick Law LLC, we never stop fighting for our clients’ best interests. Our proven record of successful outcomes speaks for itself. Contact us today and find out how a team of experienced hate crime defense attorneys in Glen Bernie, MD, can help you minimize the impact of these serious charges on your future.
Facing Hate Crime Charges in Maryland?
In Maryland, you could be charged with a hate crime, a form of bias incident that constitutes an illegal offense, for any number of crimes in which the alleged unlawful act is motivated by bias against a protected class. Protected classes currently recognized under Maryland law include:
- Race
- Color
- National origin
- Religion or religious beliefs
- Familial status
- Marital status
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Physical or mental disability
- Homeless status
Sections 10-301 through 10-308 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, Criminal Law Article, establish offenses that can constitute hate crimes. Under the state’s hate crime statute, you can face criminal consequences if convicted of acts such as:
- Defacing, destroying, burning, or otherwise damaging property belonging to an individual or group if this act is motivated by bias against a protected class
- Defacing, destroying, or damaging property that is owned, leased, or used by a religious entity
- Defacing, destroying, burning, or otherwise damaging an object on real property or personal property connected to a publicly or privately owned building if this act is motivated by bias against a protected class
- Inscribing or placing offensive symbols such as swastikas or nooses on public or private property with the intent to threaten or intimidate a person or group
- Obstructing someone from freely exercising their religious beliefs through threat or force
- Attempting to commit an offense as described above
- Committing a crime of any kind that is motivated, completely or partially, by bias against a protected class
Offenses like criminal mischief, arson, harassment, terroristic threats, assault, and homicide can result in steep penalties if the prosecution tries to argue that bias against a protected class played a role in motivating the crime. You can’t leave the outcome of your case up to chance. You need an aggressive defense prepared by the knowledgeable Maryland hate crime lawyers at Maronick Law LLC.
Facing a Potential Hate Crime? We Can Help.
Speak With a Top-Rated Maryland Hate Crime Defense Attorney
443-351-6657Defenses Against Hate Crime Charges
The mere suspicion that an incident may have been motivated even partly by bias or hate of a protected class could be sufficient to result in an investigation of the offense as a hate crime. You might be charged with a hate crime even if the alleged action was not committed on the basis of race, gender, religion, or another protected class, if a prosecutor argues otherwise.
At Maronick Law LLC, we know that the truth isn’t always as it appears. A victim, witness, or investigator may mistakenly characterize an offense as a hate crime, which can put you at risk of facing harsher penalties if convicted. Our hate crime defense attorneys in Glen Bernie, MD, stand up for the accused, helping them sort out misunderstandings, seek leniency for mistakes, challenge rights violations, and otherwise pursue the most favorable outcomes possible.
A strong defense tailored to the specifics of your situation can help you achieve a more beneficial outcome. Examples of the types of defense strategies our Maryland hate crime lawyers may craft for your case include the following.
False Allegations
Hate crimes happen and are real problems, but false allegations also happen. If someone made up the whole incident or embellished key points, whether for attention or in some kind of personal vendetta, your defense strategy may revolve around demonstrating that the allegations are false by calling into question the prosecution’s evidence and the credibility of alleged victims and witnesses.
Mistaken Identity
Just because the offense did occur doesn’t mean that you were involved. Genuine mistakes, bias on the part of witnesses, and even intentional fabrications may result in cases of mistaken identity, in which you are charged with a crime that someone else committed. We can help you fight these charges by questioning the evidence against you or showing that you had an alibi and couldn’t have committed the crime.
Lack of Intent
The motivation behind an offense matters when you are charged with a hate crime. The prosecution must prove that the action was motivated, at least in part, by bias or hate against a protected class. We can work to expose any shortcomings in the prosecutor’s argument and establish that you had no intent to discriminate against, intimidate, or otherwise harm the alleged victim on the basis of their characteristics of or membership in a protected class.
Self-Defense or Defense of Others
If someone threatens your safety, you’re legally allowed to protect yourself, even if the aggressor is a member of a protected class. Similarly, you may use physical force to protect others who are in imminent danger of harm, provided that the other party is the aggressor and that the force you used was necessary and reasonable. If we can establish that the contact between you and the alleged victim was actually self-defense or defense of others, we can help you fight not only the hate crime charge but also other related charges, such as assault.
Insufficient Evidence
It’s the prosecutor’s responsibility to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Through close investigation and detailed arguments, we expose all of the weaknesses in the case against you and the ways in which the evidence falls short of establishing guilt.
Rights Violations
Even if the evidence against you is strong, a meticulous review of the case could reveal rights violations such as illegal searches and seizures. If any evidence against you was acquired improperly or not handled in accordance with proper procedures, we can seek to have it suppressed so that it can’t be used against you. This could result in weakening the prosecution’s case and potentially even getting the charges dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
How Maronick Law LLC Can Help Defend You Against Hate Crime Charges in Maryland
Our hate crime defense attorneys in Glen Bernie, MD, have a proven record of achieving favorable results for clients through an approach that includes:
- Diligent investigation of your case and the evidence against you
- Development of personalized strategies and legal arguments based on the specific facts of your situation
- Consideration of all possible paths to attain the resolution that most benefits you
- Advocacy inside and outside the courtroom to pursue the dismissal or reduction of charges, not-guilty trial verdicts, or lighter sentences
Throughout your case, we make client service a priority, with a compassionate and knowledgeable approach to legal representation.
Why Choose Maronick Law LLC?
At Maronick Law LLC, you’ll find Maryland hate crime lawyers who provide comprehensive legal representation, utilize innovative strategies for achieving favorable results, and make skilled legal counsel available to defendants throughout the region.
Comprehensive Criminal Defense Representation from Experienced Attorneys
Hate crimes encompass numerous types of offenses. You need a seasoned attorney who understands both the specific challenges involved in defending against hate crime charges and the nuances of the offense that has been characterized as a hate crime. Maronick Law LLC provides a full array of criminal defense services and represents those accused of all types of crimes.
A Commitment to Exploring All Avenues for Favorably Resolving Your Case
We’re prepared to consider all options for resolving your legal matter in the most favorable way possible. Whether you stand to benefit from pretrial motions, creative plea agreements, participation in first-offender programs, or other innovative strategies, you can count on our team to explore every possibility available to you.
24/7 Availability and Free, Confidential Consultations
Get legal help without hesitation any time you need it. Legal crises don’t always happen during typical business hours, but Maronick Law LLC offers 24/7 availability to ensure you won’t have to wait for the knowledgeable legal counsel you need. By providing complimentary consultations, we ensure anyone accused of a hate crime in Maryland has the opportunity to at least explore how our attorneys may be able to assist them.
Contact the Maryland Hate Crime Lawyers at Maronick Law LLC Today for a Free Case Review
You need a law firm with the skills to defend you against challenging charges like hate crimes. With more than 80 years of combined experience, we’re ready to serve you.
For help from hate crime defense attorneys in Glen Bernie, MD, contact Maronick Law LLC online or call 443-351-6657 today.