Hate crimes in Oregon have no tolerance under the law. Racial or sexual condescensions have no place in a positive community setting. Like Frederick Sorrell from Portland, Oregon has discovered, there are consequences for discrimination towards others. In May, Sorrell was reported to have threatened the lives of three individuals based on their race, color, or religion. According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, this was not the first time Sorrell had used threatening actions. Sorrell has now been taken into custody and is facing criminal charges.
The FBI website reported that in 2015 alone, there were 5,850 criminal incidents and nearly 7,000 related offenses that were all motivated by bias against race, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and ethnicity. Nine metropolitan cities, including New York City and Washington, D.C., reported finding over a 20% increase of hate crimes in 2016. It’s a dilemma that doesn’t seem to be dissolving away anytime soon.
Hate Crimes in Oregon
In Oregon, the hate crime law is ORS 166.155 referring to intimidation in the second degree. According to this law, a person will have broken the law if they destructively tamper or interfere with property not belonging to them solely because of the offender’s perception of the owner’s race, color, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin. Under this law, it states that a person becomes an offender if they expose the victim to offensive physical contact due to the offender’s perception of the individual’s race, color, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin. Verbal assaults and threats are also covered under this law. Intimidation in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor.
Intimidation and Bias Crimes in Oregon
Intimidation in the first degree in Oregon is nearly identical to the previous law, but has one difference. It involves two or more people working together to cause physical or emotional harm towards someone else based on the offender’s perception of the victim’s race, color, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin. Intimidation in the first degree in Oregon is a Class C felony.
Though Oregon may be a desirable location and destination for many, the State does appear to have its downfalls. As reported earlier this year, Oregon leads the nation for number of hate and bias crimes documented by the non-profit investigative website ProPublica.
Hate Crime Charges in Oregon
Intimidation in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor. Those charged will accrue up to one year in jail and a fine up to $6,250. Intimidation in the first degree is a Class C felony. This will result in up to five years in prison and a fine reaching $125,000.
If you have experienced any bias, intimidation, or hate crimes yourself, help others by telling your story with the help of ProPublica. Regardless of where you live in the United States, it’s important to report incidents resulting from biased behavior.
If you’ve been charged with any of the aforementioned, be sure to contact an experienced defense attorney to have a stable case in court.