Jury Charges Man with Hate Crime

In Hawaii, a grand jury has charged a man with using racial epithets in threats to kill his neighbor. Thomas Fiust has formally been charged with first-degree terroristic threatening. This crime is punishable with up to five years in prison; however, due to the fact that it is also charged as a hate crime, the penalty is doubled. Fiust reportedly threatened his Jewish neighbor in order to scare him.         

Hate crime charges can be incredibly serious and result in consequences such as jail time and heavy fines depending on the situation. It's important that you understand what you are being charged with and how you should go about resolving this matter. You do have rights to protect during this difficult time and options to do so. Begin the process of moving forward with your life. It's in your best interest to work with a criminal defense lawyer who will understand your case and be able to guide you through this difficult process. A defense attorney will know how to deal with court proceedings and any other aspects necessary. You can count on a defense lawyer to always have your best interest in mind while fighting to protect your rights. Please take some time today to contact a criminal defense attorney and begin discussing the details of your case.