Being accused of having perpetrated a hate crime can be a stressful and somewhat scary experience, and it’s one that you shouldn’t have to face alone. A successful conviction in a case of hate crime can bring with it a lengthy prison sentence, hefty financial penalties and other punishments. This is not a time to engage the services of a legal team that you don’t have any faith in.
Many crimes can be deemed to have included a degree of prejudice, including murder, attempted murder, assault, stalking and abusive behaviour. It’s also worth noting that an increasing number of cases involve the use of cyder-bullying and making threats via online portals. Everything you may have done or said can prove to be a factor in a hate crime conviction.
The most common form of hate crimes in Scotland are racially motivated, but of course there are other groups in our community who have suffered in such cases. Hate crimes can be targeted at people because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, religion and more. They can also be deemed to have been aimed at whole communities in some instances.
For the individual who is facing charges of serious crimes that are considered to have been motivated by prejudice, the process can seem extremely complex and, in many instances, almost overwhelming. Whatever your charges might be, you need to know exactly what you’re being accused of and, of course, the potential sentences that you could be facing.
Here at MML Law, we have years of experience and a sound knowledge of all relevant legislation, including the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021. We understand exactly what you are going through and how you are feeling, and we’ll do all we can to help you achieve your best possible outcome. It’s never easy when you’re facing the potential of a conviction, and for many it’s even more difficult when it’s exacerbated by accusations of prejudice.
In the eyes of the court, an assault, for example, that was committed because of prejudicial intent is often considered to be more serious than a conventional assault. The subsequent sentencing could therefore be more severe, and of course there’s a stigma to such crimes that the accused may have to live with for many years to come. For this and other reasons, vigorous defending of such cases is a must.
If you’re facing such accusations at the moment, it’s important to know that experienced, skilled legal professionals are on hand to help. Our specialists, having dealt with so many others in your situation, understand what you’re going through and can recommend the best possible strategies. For you and your family, getting in touch with the team at MML Law is the sensible option.
We can be contacted right now on 01382 206000 or at legalservices@mmllaw.co.uk, so get in touch today. We’re based in Dundee and over the years we have built an excellent reputation for first-class client services. We hope to hear from you soon.
