is burning a cross in someones yard a state or federal crime?

Answer 1

It depends on whether or not there is a statute which forbids cross burning based on intimidation. The Supremes ruled back in 2003. Justice O'Connor's opinion basically stated that "with a carefully drawn statute, a state may nevertheless ban cross burnings that are carried out with the intent to intimidate."

Second, it is not a federal crime because it's arson as suggested in a previous response.

Arson is the intentional act of maliciously, voluntarily, and willfully setting fire to the building, buildings, or other property of another or of burning one's own property for an improper purpose, as to collect insurance.

Answer 2

It is both federal and a state crime. You are tresspassing on someones propterty, which is a state crime. You are endagering someones property and life. You are also partcipating in reckless endagerment.

It is a federal crime, because of the arson.

Answer 3

If your doing that on someone else's property, I am sure there could be a lot of laws beSIDES trespassing that could apply however, I don't know about at the State and Federal levels.

Answer 4

Both State and Federal crimes.

Answer 5

State and federal. State - arson, trespassing, criminal recklessness.

Federal - violation of civil rights...

Answer 6

Hmmm.....well it depends if there is a ban on burning in your community, it could also be a local crime.

Answer 7

federal, the klan and the feds have gone at each other for decades the feds have never in over 100years paroled or pardoned a klansman, many feds see the klan as the only domestic threat they ever had.

Answer 8

I belive so. And even if it's not explicit, it could be covered by areson and such.

It is probal;by classsified as a hate crime as well, which is a federal crime.