Hate Crime is a very hot topic these days. In line with that, Washington State plans to establish a non-police hotline to assist people who claim to have been targeted by hate crimes and bias incidents. Senate Bill 5427 assures that this is to take place, something that had failed to be passed during last year’s legislative session. The bill directs the State Attorney General’s Office to create a hotline that will be in full force and effect by 2027. The hotline will provide victims with information, refer them to culturally competent trauma-informed service providers and document calls for annual auditing on the number of alleged hate crimes in-and-around the state. Hate crimes are those that are considered actions wherein perpetrators maliciously and intentionally cause physical injury or damage because of a victim’s race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, expression of identity or disability. Bias Incidents are those that include ‘hostile expressions of animus” that relate to a victim’s actual (or perceived) race, color, ethnicity, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity or disability. Hate crimes are a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison; Bias incidents are not criminal, unlike hate crimes.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a criminal charge (whether it is hate crime related or otherwise), immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900
