There's been a big contraversy over adding hate crimes against Gays. Blacks and Religious groups want only hate crimes against and not by them acknowledged and Republicans don't seem to think that lynching Gays should even be illegal.
But isn't a crime a crime? And isn't hate hate? If hate for a group was the motivation for a crime, should it matter if the victim was black, gay, Lithuanian or a German tourist? (Ok, anybody in Europe will tell you that German Tourists have it coming, but still...
My take is that if the motivation was group hate, the added penalties for Hate Crimes should apply, period.
I know I'm crazy, but tell me whether I'm wrong.
2007-08-28 15:27:05 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Hate crime enhancements are based on the metal state of the crime -- and no, not all crimes are the same.
Killing someone accidentally is not as bad as killing someone intentionally. And killing someone intentionally in a fit of anger is not as bad as killing someone intentionally by premeditation.
What's the difference? The state of mind of the attacker.
For hate crimes, the enhancement is again based on their state of mind. It makes it worse to kill someone solely because they are a member of a minority group, as opposed to killing them for individual reasons.
Why? Because the person committing the hate crime is intending to attack ALL members of that minority group, and this is the victim they've come across (or been caught for). That increased dangerous state of mind makes the commission of that attack worse than one based on anger at a particular individual, and much worse than one that is accidental. So, no, you're not wrong.
2007-08-28 15:45:50 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
In a single word, Mad, NO. A hate crime is an added offense based on The perpetrator's OWN intent. Not only did the person intend to kill or injure his victim, but that person wished to send a message to ALL members of that particular "group" that the victim belonged to. The crime was based on hatred toward a certain group, deemed "special" by the perpetrator, and as such, is an additional crime by that perpetrator. The perpetrator INTENDED to not only do harm to the individual but ALSO do harm to society as a whole by ATTACKING the very principle of "Equality under the law", as defined in the U.S. Constitution. So not ONLY was the victim attacked but the Principles of the Nation were attacked through that person's OWN hatreds against a certain class of protected people (ALL receive those protections, but in that person's mind there exist a class of folks who are not entitled to that portection). Therefore an additional crime, against the class of people who belonged to that group, has been committed. It is irrelevant with regards to the Group that is being attacked, it IS directed at a specific CLASS of people and as such IS included in the Hate Crimes Law. Even if it is directed at Clowns with huge BLUE shoes, it is still a hate crime, for it is directed at a specific group and not at just anybody (in the case of a random act) or a specific target based on a more personal motive. It would have been anyone who was a member of that group and NOT simply a random member of the population at large.
Brightest Blessings,
Raji teh Green Witch
2007-08-29 02:02:15 · answer #2 · answered by Raji the Green Witch 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are not crazy or wrong. A hate crime is heinous because someone feels the need to hurt another person only because they are different. The law needs to be black and white. If the motivation is hate, then it's a hate crime.
2007-08-28 15:38:06 · answer #3 · answered by Katie 13 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Your not wrong Steve.
If you can get them to admit it was a hate crime So the rules apply
If a group of people attack the one,can they then say it was mob mentality?
2007-08-29 02:30:02 · answer #4 · answered by Marla ™ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you are right, period. People can go through mental gymnastics to try to argue against it, but hate is such a violent and dangerous emotion, crimes committed by a person so motivated should be addressed with more serious consequences
2007-08-28 18:35:27 · answer #5 · answered by Lady Morgana 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There shouldn't be hate crime laws. Murder is murder, assault is assault. Motive is evidence of guilt, not a crime itself. How can anyone claim to live in a free country when that country regulates thought???
2007-08-28 15:35:58 · answer #6 · answered by evans_michael_ya 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
hate crimes law ? , i also thinks it's could be a good law to have , if , include , hatred between religions ( stupids followers to the stupids , greeds , without knowing the true truth about life given by God ? ).
2007-08-29 01:25:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋