Hate Crimes

Hate Crimes: Laws and Penalties

Hate crimes, or bias-motivated crimes, are crimes committed because the victim is a member of a certain group, such as a racial or religious minority. Today, 45 states and the District of Columbia have laws against hate crimes.

Hate Crimes That Changed History

Hate crime legislation was often spurred by instances of particularly deprived crimes.

Federal Prosecutions for Civil Rights Violations

Civil rights prosecutions have provided a means for federal prosecutors to bring charges against people who have committed hate crimes when local prosecutors lack the political will to do so.

How Do Prosecutors Prove Hate Crimes?

The defendant's actions, words, and affiliations often supply the best evidence of his state of mind when committing a crime—including a hate crime.

Do Hate Crime Laws Violate the First Amendment?

Hate crimes, sometimes called bias-motivated crimes, are crimes committed because of the victim’s race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

Is Everyone Protected by Hate Crime Laws?

Everyone is protected by hate crime laws, even though minorities are more likely to suffer them.