Genocide

Federal Defense Attorneys Explain Genocide Crimes

Genocide is considered to be one of the world’s worst crimes against humanity, so it should come as no surprise that the United States federal government has strict laws prohibiting genocide.

Those who are accused of committing genocide need to understand the nature of the charges, determine how to respond to accusations, and get the right legal help from an experienced attorney who understands genocide laws.

LV Criminal Defense can help. Our federal criminal defense law firm serves clients accused of federal crimes in Arizona, California, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and surrounding states. We know federal laws on genocide, including the specifics of what prosecutors have to prove to secure conviction, and we have the necessary legal skills to help clients develop a proactive, assertive response to charges.

To find out more about the ways in which our legal team can help you to fight claims you committed genocide, give us a call today.

Federal Laws On Genocide

Genocide crimes are defined in 18 U.S. Code Chapter 50A. There are a total of three different statutes within Chapter 50, including a statute with definitions applicable throughout the chapter. The relevant federal laws related to genocide include:

• 18 U.S. Code section 1091: Genocide: Genocide is defined within 18 U.S. Code section 1091 to include killing members of a group; causing serious injury to members of a group; causing permanent impairment to members of a group; subjecting members of a group to conditions intended to be physically destructive; imposing measures to prevent births within the group; or transferring children by force from one group to another if that individual is motivated by the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. If death results because of the actions prohibited within 18 U.S. Code section 1091, a defendant can be sentenced to death or life imprisonment as well as a $1 million fine. If no death results, the defendant can be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years imprisonment as well as a fine up to $1 million. Inciting genocide can also result in up to five years of imprisonment and a fine up to $1 million, and anyone who attempts or conspires to commit genocide will be punished in the same way as the person who commits the actual offense.
• 18 U.S. Code section 1092: Exclusive remedies: This statute makes clear that nothing found within 18 U.S. Code section 1091 precludes state or local laws, nor do any of the provisions of the federal statute create a substantive or procedural right enforceable by law by any party in any proceeding.
• 18 U.S. Code section 1093: Definitions: This statute defines specific terms that appear within Chapter 50A so it will be clear what the meanings of those words are and how they apply within the statute. For example, the term children is defined to include any individuals who haven’t yet turned 18. The term ethnic group refers to any set of individuals whose identity is distinctive because of common heritage or because of common cultural traditions. The term national group refers to a group of people whose identity is distinctive because of their national origin or nationality. The term racial group refers to a group of people who have a distinctive identity because of physical characteristics or because of biological descent. Finally, the term religious group refers to a group distinctive because it shares a common religious creed, doctrine, or set of beliefs or rituals. The term substantial part is also defined within 18 U.S. Code section 1093 to mean a big enough part of a group that the loss of that part of the group could cause destruction of the group as a viable entity within the nation that the group is part of.

LV Criminal Defense can provide more insight into the specific definition of genocide, into what a prosecutor would need to prove to secure a conviction for genocide, and into the potential penalties that a defendant could face if that defendant is convicted of genocide.

Because it is possible that a defendant could be sentenced to life in prison or could even face the death penalty, having a deep understanding of the definitions in Chapter 50A as well as the elements of genocide offenses is very important.

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