What is a Hate Crime?

Answer 1

A crime motivated by prejudice against a social group. A hate crime is a criminal act against a person or property in which the perpetrator chooses the victim because of the victim's real or perceived race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or gender.

Answer 2

Someone asked that how can you know when a hate crime is committed. Basically, if its reported the police will take statements and hears all sides of story;either, the cop or a judge will determine if a hate crime is committed (based on the police reports). A hate crime is a class C felony. This is all based on Illinois state statue. All states may differ.

Answer 3

At it's most literal, a hate crime is a crime committed against someone or a group because of hate. Typically, the hate is due to a hatred of a race, religion, ethic group, sex, etc.

If you kill a person to steal their money, it's not a hate crime.

If you a kill a person because they're black, it is.

If you write your name in spray paint on the side of building, it's graffiti.

If you write the "n" word, it's a hate crime.

Answer 4

A hate crime is a crime committed against someone because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. Wikipedia says "Hate crimes (also known as bias crimes) are violent crimes, hate speech or vandalism, motivated by feelings of enmity against an identifiable social group. Hate crimes differ from regular crime motivated by economic gain or personal animosity."

Answer 5

A laughable distinction between committing a crime against someone and committing a crime against them because of their race or religion. How can anyone decide what the perpetrator really felt in their heart at the time of the crime.

Answer 6

A Crime that is committed against another SOLELY because of the victim's race, gender, ethnicity, religion etc.

Answer 7

Beating up or killing someone because of their country of origin, ethnicity, religion, or lifestyle.