Do you think we need a law defining hate crimes I always
thought all crimes would fall under that catagory when it comes to violent crimes
2007-07-13 16:33:13 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I agree with you.
2007-07-14 05:24:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Crimes have two main components -- an intent (mental state) and the over acts (physical activity).
Killing someone is homicide. Doing it intentionally is murder.
Doing it because you want to kill an entire large group of people and you victim just happened to have the right skin tone, or hair color, or religion, or whatever -- that's a hate crime.
Hate crimes get enhancements because the mental state is more dangerous than a normal crime. Just like intentional murder gets a more serious punishment than accidental (negligent) homicide.
In a hate crime, the criminal doesn't just want to kill that victim, or some random victim. They want to kill everyone who shares the same (whatever) characteristic as their victim. Which is way more dangerous that someone who just wants to kill one specific individual.
2007-07-13 23:41:00 · answer #2 · answered by coragryph 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a hate crime bill is just political spectacle.
2007-07-13 23:55:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋