The Perecman Firm
Comprehensive and accurate reporting of hate crimes is essential to understanding the patterns.
New York, NY (PRWEB) December 19, 2013
Civil rights violation lawyer David Perecman, founder of The Perecman Firm, supports a review of the reporting of hate crimes at the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The New York comptroller's office will use its authority to audit hate crime reporting statewide following a significant increase in such crimes, reported The Wall Street Journal (12.6.13).
“New York police departments need to report hate crime incidents correctly,” said Perecman. “Comprehensive and accurate reporting of hate crimes is essential to understanding the patterns.”
The DCJS report last month showed 720 hate crimes statewide in 2012, an increase of almost 30 percent the year before. Most of the upward change was in New York City and Suffolk County, which had altered its reporting process, reported The Wall Street Journal.
State Senator Brad Hoylman requested the audit following recent attacks against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in New York City and a 27 percent increase in anti-Semitic New York State incidents in 2012.
The audit comes after concerns were raised about whether law enforcement was giving proper identification to hate crimes as is required by state law. According to DCJS, hate crimes underreporting may occur for various reasons: Police investigators may not document bias as motivation for a crime; people in the country illegally are less likely to report being victims; and some police agencies don't forward hate crime data to the state.
“Unfortunately, some of the most likely targets of hate crimes are also the least likely to report them,” said Perecman.
The results of the audit will be reported in 2014, said The Wall Street Journal.
The DCJS is required by law to issue the hate crimes report annually and submit the data to the FBI.
The Wall Street Journal story cited is “Comptroller to audit NY hate crimes reporting.”
Individuals who believe they have been victims of a New York civil rights violation including hate crimes can contact The Perecman Firm at 212-977-7033.
About David Perecman and The Perecman Firm, PLLC:
For the past 30 years, the New York personal injury, medical malpractice, construction accident, and civil rights violation lawyers at The Perecman Firm, PLLC have handled all types of civil rights violation cases in New York including gender discrimination in the workplace and hate crimes. David Perecman, founder of the Firm, has been recognized for his achievements as an Honoree in the National Law Journal's Hall of Fame, in New York Magazine's "The Best Lawyers in America" and The New York Times Magazine "New York Super Lawyers, Metro Edition" for the years 2007-2010. The prestigious U.S. News & World Report ranks The Perecman Firm among the top 20 personal injury firms in New York City for 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.
The Firm has recovered millions of dollars for its clients. Among the more recent victories, Mr. Perecman won a $15 million verdict** for a construction accident (Index 112370/03) Supreme Court, New York County, a $5.35 million dollar verdict*** for an automobile accident (Index 2749/04) Supreme Court, Kings County, and a $40 million dollar structured settlement for medical malpractice (Index 2146/03)****Supreme Court, Kings County.
The Perecman Firm serves Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester, Upstate NY, Morris County, and Rockland County.
**later settled while on appeal for $7.940 million
*** later settled for $3.5 million
**** total potential payout
"Lawyer Advertising"+
"Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome."
