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I never quite understood what constitutes a "hate crime" and why the punishment for one is greater than a good ole friendly crime. What does that say to the victim of as non hate crime (whatever that means); basically that their pain and suffering isn't as worthy of the pain and suffering of a victim of a hate crime?
Because the brainwashed White lawmakers of this country think that burning a cross on a Black person's lawn or throwing a pig in a mosque is worthy of prison time rather than a 5 on 1 Black on White beating.
Hate crimes are premeditated and aren't preplanned murders automatically 1st degree? James Byrd's killers were sentenced to Death Row and Matthew Shepherd's killers were sentenced to life in prison without parole. Even if they weren't hate crimes and race/sexual orientation played no role, I can't see the murderers of Matthew and James getting a sentence less than LWOP when you consider that it was clearly premeditated and both cases involved a high degree of torture.
Hate crimes are premeditated and aren't preplanned murders automatically 1st degree? James Byrd's killers were sentenced to Death Row and Matthew Shepherd's killers were sentenced to life in prison without parole. Even if they weren't hate crimes and race/sexual orientation played no role, I can't see the murderers of Matthew and James getting a sentence less than LWOP when you consider that it was clearly premeditated and both cases involved a high degree of torture.
I think you've hit the crux of the issue. There aren't discrepancies in justice, as punishment is decided by the judicial system, either by judge or jury. Premediation is the deciding factor, and hate crimes are not confined to race or sexual orientation. People are persecuted and bullied due to their religion, their gender, their age and even social class, as in the killing of homeless men and women. A good case will, as you note, result in either a sentence of death, life without parole or 25 to life, which means they'd be incarcerated until they're too old to act out violently at the least.
The designatio of Hate crime is pureely a OC invention to push some more than others for the same crime by movtive that is policially based and used;IMO.
I never quite understood what constitutes a "hate crime" and why the punishment for one is greater than a good ole friendly crime. What does that say to the victim of as non hate crime (whatever that means); basically that their pain and suffering isn't as worthy of the pain and suffering of a victim of a hate crime?
This sounds like something Archie Bunker would say/think!
If a stranger robs my house, it's highly unlikely that he did it out of "hate". Burglaries are generally crimes of opportunity.
If you drive over the speed limit, you've broken the law. Does it mean you hate the road? Or the drivers around you?
Duh. My examples only dealt with crimes against persons like assault or murder. I doubt there are any burglary or speeding crimes that are classified as hate crimes. Same goes for any crimes without a specific mens rea intending harm against a person or a specific person's property.
Burglary could actually easily be a component of a hate crime if it is inspired by hatred of a certain group, with intent to intimidate or otherwise inflict psychological harm, destroy property, vandalize, etc
I never quite understood what constitutes a "hate crime" and why the punishment for one is greater than a good ole friendly crime. What does that say to the victim of as non hate crime (whatever that means); basically that their pain and suffering isn't as worthy of the pain and suffering of a victim of a hate crime?
I have never understood the "hate crime" angle? Isn't all violent acts fueled by hate and instant rage?
Is this the social justice warriors rage against the white guy, because they do not seem to affect all Americans, only violence against the protected classes/groups
My friend is involved in a hate crime situation right now but it won't be prosecuted as such. He and his partner moved into a neighborhood 4 yrs ago. They gutted the house and it looks fabulous now - unfortunately his neighbors are not very accepting. His cars have been keyed. He's been left messages on his door and recently a neighbor hired 2 men in the neighborhood to take down a section of her stockade fence and cut down the portion of his vinyl fence that was installed 3 years ago. They cut the section that butted up to the woman's property by cutting it off at the bottom of the posts. They then put the 8 ft sections in their garage - where they sit today.
The police will not process this as a hate crime because there has been no verbal name calling or phone calls they can trace. While I understand their thoughts - I told him to call the State Attorney General for confirmation. They too told them that hate crimes are very hard to prosecute. He's definitely decided to sell and take a loss if need be just to remove himself from the situation.
Hate crime laws are nothing more than enhanced penalties for terroristic acts that are directed at a minority or community as an additional threat.
Example: someone spray paints graffiti on a warehouse wall "Joe loves Jane." Not a hate crime. Someone spray paints graffiti on the front doors of a Jewish Synagogue "Kill All Jews - Heil Hitler!" ... that is a hate crime. Should the perps be apprehended in both cases, is anyone suggesting they both be given an identical fine?
Hate crime laws are nothing more than enhanced penalties for terroristic acts that are directed at a minority or community as an additional threat.
Example: someone spray paints graffiti on a warehouse wall "Joe loves Jane." Not a hate crime. Someone spray paints graffiti on the front doors of a Jewish Synagogue "Kill All Jews - Heil Hitler!" ... that is a hate crime. Should the perps be apprehended in both cases, is anyone suggesting they both be given an identical fine?
I am, the damage is the same.
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