Types of Hate Crimes

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A hate crime is a crime against a person or group that is motivated by the victim’s racial, religious, ethnic or gender group. For a criminal act to be a hate crime, it must meet any of the following criteria:

During the crime, racial, religious or ethnic statements are made
Hate group symbols are displayed
Motivation for the crime is to intimidate, harm or injure a particular group or organization
The victim perceives it to be a hate crime

Federal law covers hate crimes under civil rights statutes and provides for more severe sentencing on convictions if the defendant selected the victim because of:

Race
Color
Religion
National origin
Ethnicity
Gender
Disability
Sexual orientation

In Maryland, it is against the law to:

Vandalize any religious property
Interfere by force or threat with anyone’s exercise of their religious beliefs
Damage or destroy anyone’s property because of their race or beliefs
Harass or commit a crime against any person because of their race, color, religious beliefs or national origin

And the state of Maryland, like the federal government, includes more severe sentencing when a person is convicted of a hate crime.

When you need a strong defense, contact a Howard County criminal defense attorney

The very nature of a hate crime arouses enormous public outrage and media speculation. Unfortunately for the defendant in a hate crimes case, the negative publicity and public opinion can make it difficult to receive a fair trial. Merely being accused of such a crime can ruin your reputation, endanger your job and even splinter your family. And the need for an experienced Maryland criminal defense attorney is vital.

If you have been accused of a hate crime contact Jonathan Scott Smith online or call 410-740-0101 to discuss your case with an attorney who fight aggressively for you.

Outgoing Head of U.S. Federal Prisons Charged with DUI in Maryland

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The soon-to-be former head of the U.S. Federal Prisons recently issued a shame-filled apology for his embarrassing DUI arrest in February. According to an Anne Arundel County police report, Harley Lappin, 55, was pulled over February 26 after an officer spotted him nearly swerve into two vehicles. The report further reported that Lappin’s eyes were bloodshot, his speech was slurred, his breath smelled of alcohol, and he was unable to walk a straight line or keep his balance on one foot during sobriety tests. He had been driving near his Annapolis home in the wee hours of the morning.

Lappin was charged with three counts related to drunk driving and one count each of reckless driving, negligent driving and failing to obey a traffic control device. Following his arrest, Lappin submitted to a breath test. His blood-alcohol content registered .12; the legal limit to drive in Maryland is .08. His case is set for trial June 16 in Annapolis District Court.

Lappin’s February arrest only came to light when he issued a formal apology to his staff on Tuesday, March 29. He made no mention of his DUI arrest when he had initially announced his intention to retire from his job March 25.

Lappin has run the federal prisons system since 2003 after several years running the prison in Butner, North Carolina, where Ponzi-king Bernie Madoff is currently imprisoned. He also presided over the 2001 execution of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh while serving as the warden of the U.S. penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana.

His June trial won’t be the first time Lappin has appeared in court as a defendant, rather than on the side of the law. In an unrelated incident, he was caught speeding in Annapolis on March 20. Police said he was driving 69 mph in a 50 mph zone. He pled guilty to speeding March 28 and paid a $90 fine.

Jonathan Scott Smith Criminal Defense Firm