In Orange County, reports are showing that
hate crimes have increased at a frightening level, up by 14% as compared to the past
years where the OC was known for its lower levels of hate crimes. Recently
the reports are showing that these hate crimes tending to lean towards
those of African American descent, or because of their religious beliefs
or sexual preferences. One man shares with the Los Angeles Times that
he has never felt more hated by his community; words are being used against
him that would send chills down anyone’s spine. This young gay man
claims that anytime he would leave the condo that he and his partner lived
in he would receive these harsh slurs.
This man had to deal with these constant hate crimes for nine months before
the homeowners association forced his neighbors to leave the property.
The Orange County Human Relations Commission shares that the hate crimes
have increased by 14% in the last year, with 64 crimes being reported
in 2011 and the number on the rise this year. They claim that it is likely
to the growth of the county, both in size and in diversity. Rusty Kennedy,
the head of the commission, claims that he fears that with these growing
rates, that there are many that are left unreported, particular within
the school systems for boys and girls that are homosexual.
The LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community is being greatly
attacked in Orange County and the community fears that their kids aren’t
safe in the schools because they are being taunted and bullied by their
classmates. The LGBT students aren’t the only ones who are receiving
this treatment; the schools are noticing a theme in bullying Jewish students.
A common form being that because of the stereotype of Jewish people being
wealthy, they throw money at them. The commission claims that many parents
have no idea of what is taking place within their schools, because many
of these students are too fearful to speak up about their problems.
With the growth of hate crimes in the county, there is also an increase
in the accusations of those committing hate crimes, and if this is you,
having a strong defense attorney on your side is crucial. Penalties for
these convicted of hate crimes may range from bad to worse depending on
the severity and uniqueness of each case. A hate crime may be towards
anyone with different views that another, sex, religion, race, disabilities,
gender, etc. and because of this the United States government takes these
crimes very seriously, requiring anyone in authority who witnesses an
act to report it to the police. The punishment for these crimes tends
to be harsher in the eyes of the law because of the motives that are generally
behind these crimes.
Whether you are a student that is being accused of taunting and bullying
a classmate or you are a resident in a neighborhood accused of saying
harsh words, you still deserve the opportunity to be defended before the
court to prove your innocence. Do you know someone who is in a similar
predicament? Or have you been accused of these charges? If so, then contact the
Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today for more information regarding criminal defense. With years of experience,
we want to fight for the rights of our clients who are being accused of
a variety of charges. Don’t assume that if you are accused you will
spend the rest of your life in jail, choose to fight; and we will help
you do that!