Brooklyn Hate Crime Defense & Civil Rights Violations

Brooklyn Hate Crime Defense & Civil Rights Violations

Hate crimes and civil rights violations are serious issues in Brooklyn. According to the first search result from the Neil Ruskin Law Firm[1], hate crimes are up 76% in the Brooklyn area. Hate crimes are defined under New York Penal Code 485.05 as intentionally selecting a target based on their race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or other protected characteristics.

If convicted of a hate crime in New York, penalties can be substantially increased[1]. For example, if convicted of a misdemeanor hate crime, the charges may be raised to a Class A misdemeanor or even a Class E felony, resulting in higher fines and more jail time. Given the serious potential consequences, having an experienced Brooklyn hate crime defense attorney is critical.

Common Hate Crime Charges

According to the Law Offices of Julie Rendelman[20], some of the most common hate crime charges in Brooklyn include:

• Assault
• Harassment
• Menacing
• Vandalism

However, any crime can potentially become a hate crime if the prosecution can prove it was motivated by bias against the victim’s protected characteristics. Some characteristics covered under New York hate crime laws include[20]:

• Race
• Color
• National origin
• Ancestry
• Gender
• Religion
• Age
• Disability
• Sexual orientation

Penalties for Hate Crimes

According to Julie Rendelman[20], being convicted of a hate crime can result in substantially higher penalties compared to being convicted of the same crime without the hate crime designation. Potential penalties can include:

• Increased fines
• Longer probation periods
• More jail time
• Felony charges instead of misdemeanors

These increased penalties make having an experienced defense attorney critical for anyone facing hate crime charges in Brooklyn or elsewhere in New York.

Defending Against Hate Crime Charges

The Law Offices of Samuel Gregory[24] note that to secure a hate crime conviction, prosecutors must prove both that the underlying crime occurred and that it was motivated by bias against the victim’s protected characteristics. This means skilled Brooklyn hate crime defense attorneys have multiple avenues to defend their clients:

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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• Fight the underlying charges (e.g. demonstrate the alleged assault did not occur)
• Challenge the prosecution’s proof of bias motivation (e.g. demonstrate the crime was motivated by reasons other than hate or bias)

An example from the Julie Rendelman Law Firm[20] is an assault case where the assault charges could potentially be proven, but there is insufficient evidence to prove the assault was a premeditated hate crime. In cases like this, defeating the hate crime charge could make an enormous difference in the penalties faced by the defendant.

Civil Rights Violations

In additional to hate crime defense, civil rights violations are also a major issue in Brooklyn. According to attorneys Friedman Sanchez LLP[18], civil rights violations occur when government officials deny individuals their constitutionally guaranteed civil liberties. Some examples include:

• Police brutality
• False arrest
• Malicious prosecution
• Excessive or cruel punishments

When civil rights violations like these occur, the attorneys at Friedman Sanchez LLP specialize in building strong cases on behalf of their clients to hold the responsible parties fully accountable and prevent future violations[18].

Police Brutality

One specific type of civil rights violation is police brutality. According to Samuel Gregory[24], police brutality occurs when law enforcement officers use unreasonable or excessive force against civilians. Unfortunately, police brutality still occurs far too often in Brooklyn and across NYC.

The consequences of police brutality can be severe, resulting in significant injuries, trauma and other harms. Samuel Gregory is a leading Brooklyn civil rights attorney specializing in cases against police brutality and fighting for justice and compensation for victims[24].

False Arrest & Malicious Prosecution

Other types of civil rights violations include false arrest and malicious prosecution. As described by attorneys Phillips & Associates[6], false arrest occurs when police apprehend someone without proper legal justification. Malicious prosecution is when police and prosecutors knowingly bring charges against a defendant without supporting evidence.

False arrests, malicious prosecution and other civil rights violations can completely upend an innocent person’s life. In cases when this occurs, experienced civil rights attorneys can challenge these injustices and seek compensation for the harm they have caused.

Resources

For more information on defending against hate crime charges and civil rights violations in Brooklyn, check out the following resources:

• What is a Hate Crime in Brooklyn, NY? – Overview of hate crime laws and penalties in NY from Neil Ruskin Law Firm
• Civil Rights Enforcement – Details on civil rights enforcement from the US Attorney’s Office for Eastern New York
• New York Hate Crimes Attorney – Sullivan & Galleshaw law firm hate crimes defense services
• Brooklyn Civil Rights Attorneys – Phillips & Associates civil rights legal help

Defending against hate crime allegations and civil rights violations requires experienced legal representation. Reach out to a qualified Brooklyn defense lawyer if you are facing these types of charges.