Overview of Hate Crime Laws
Overview of Hate Crime Laws
-
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.
Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
-
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.