Hate Crime Legislation

Hate Crime Legislation
Although many people are unaware of what hate crimes are or fail to the see the seriousness of this issue, the government and influential figures in the United States should raise awareness about hate crimes and improve resources for the investigation and prosecution of hate crime. Hate crimes are very important because they protect certain groups of people from being harassed.
Most people do not understand what a hate crime is. A hate crime is an act or attempted criminal act against an individual because of their actual or perceived race, color, religion etc.…(Gender Equality Resource Center). Often people get hate crimes and hate motivated acts confused as one, a crime is an act of deemed to be illegal and hate crime
So a vast majority of states have added hate crime laws to their books. The statues have allowed longer sentences if there is evidence that a crime was motivated by a bias. As (“Defining hate crimes”) Recent town meeting in Phoenix concerned residents and the police chief have entered a dialogue about legal definition of hate crimes. Communities have been trying to stop hate crimes from happening in their communities (“hate crime and the need”). As communities work on preventing hate crimes a question raises when some form of harassment does occur what should happen (“hate crime and the need”). The existing federal law is inadequate to address the problem. On July 14 about 50 people railed in Gilbert Arizona in support for same sex marriage (“hate crime and the need”) In 31 states people who committed violence intimidation or vandalism against others on account of the persons race religion ethnicity or membership in a protected group can be sued in civil court and ordered to pay damages to the victim. Just as criminal hate crime laws vary from state to state so do civil liability laws. (“Criminal defense lawyer”) Some religious conservatives have expressed concern that a pastor sermon or writing might so inflame a member of their congregation that the latter might be motivated to pick up a weapon and harassed people. . (“FBI.gov”) Under the existing hate crime law the federal government can
The available resources for the investigation and prosecution of these crimes are not sufficient to effect meaning change. Many people continue to be unaware of what hate crimes are or fail to the see the seriousness of this issue. Fighting against hate crimes is very important in protecting groups of people from being harassed and hurt. What people can do to help change and stop Hate Crimes from happening around is by setting good examples by showing respect for through actions and by watching what they say to others. People can also raise awareness that bias motivated incidents are crimes and should be reported to law enforcement. There are also ways that High school students can help by starting a conflict resolution in their school. Hate is just not an attack on a person but it’s also an attack on a community. Hate tears society along racial ethnic gender and religion lines. The U.S Department of justice that hate crimes more than any other crime can trigger larger community conflict, civil disturbances and even riots. Hate crime can escalates very quickly. Take for example the smallest hint of hate even what appears to be simply name-calling. The Department of justice again has a warning slurs often escalate to harassment harassment to threats and threats to physical violence. People don’t really understand how important Hate Crime Legislations