I realize that this question has been asked before in various categories, but I don't recall seeing many answers.
2007-10-12 21:42:43 · 14 answers · asked by SINDY 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
i think it's completely subjective...and i know several hate crimes have no racial elements while they occur then only after does the plaintiff decides to pull the race card...so that it gets filed as a hate crime...of course there are racist people and racist crimes but there is no crime in being racist so why are there additional charges when a case has the possibility of being racially driven...it implies there was a crime (obviously) but it also implies that the crime was driven by hatred which is completely subjective when the law should be completely objective
2007-10-12 21:55:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
1
2016-06-12 03:25:58 · answer #2 · answered by Wendy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hate Crime laws are needed. We live in a cultural melting pot, with representatives from just about every place on the face of the Earth. In our soceity, our laws are made for the people, if someone were to go into a neighborhood and start shooting people at random, we have certain laws and guidelines that would fit that particular crime.
If that same someone were to go into a hispanic neighborhood, or in a open area, and target hispanics, that would be a hate crime. That person is after a certain ethnicity. The same would follow if that person went after Gays, people of different religions, and those who are handicapped.
The laws created for attempting to, or actually killing a person of different race, color, creed, religion, sex, are not bundled under one law, now they are specific crimes of hate against them, and the courts can apply more lengthy sentences on those who commit such crimes.
2007-10-12 22:22:24 · answer #3 · answered by elder_moon81 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You can't punish someone just on the what they do without taking into consideration what they are thinking. If a person kills someone in a moment of passion or temporary insanity that is different from a hate crime where as the perpetrator is in a premeditated way focusing on a certain characteristic and may commit multiple acts based on discrimination. A hate crime criminal may kill a hundred people just because they are of a different belief. That is why there are hate crime laws. Giving the haters a chance to re-think their hate.
Hate crimes are a serious threat to the freedoms of everyone. Hate crimes are inexcusable in a country where freedom of speech, religious freedom and the right to conduct oneself freely without infringement upon society or legal ramifications are the foundation of our liberties. Color of skin, religious beliefs and cultural differences should not be looked upon as targets for someones misguided animosity. Punishment should be swift and harsh enough to get the message across that it will not be tolerated in this country. Hate crimes are the seeds of genocide.
2007-10-12 22:05:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Laws such as the hate crime laws are popular with the fuzz because in most cases they are quickly able to get a conviction.
A person who commits such a crime, a hate crime against another person, only gets one warning from the fuzz. They are told simply that if they approach, contact or insult [etc] the person again, they will be arrested.
It's not a simple case of a small fine. Most courts take the matter seriously and hand down a custodial sentence, possibly six months; out in three or less etc.
I have had personal experience of these hate crime laws and in both incidents the police acted swiftly and I have no further problems with the person[s] concerned.
I mean, put simply, they are dead in the water if they so much as approach me, even to apologise.
No thanks.
My thanks to my MP for pushing and pushing in the HofC to get these laws on the statute books and everyone else involved including the fuzz who are now armed with a powerful set of laws to help them protect the citizen from bad people.
2007-10-12 21:56:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think hate crime laws are a bad idea. A crime should be determined by what you DO, not what you THINK.
How can any court or jury know what you are thinking when you commit a crime?
Also, hate crime laws are a bad idea because they're not equally used on everyone of every race or persuasion. Hate crime laws themselves are really hate crimes, if you think about it.
2007-10-13 00:28:32 · answer #6 · answered by sister_godzilla 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
they seem to be a bit out of date. ocasionally ou do get a racially motivated crime but most times its just a crime if it happens to a white person or a black person shouldnt matter a crime is a crime. but its easier for someone to get money in a case if they play the race card also easier to convict.
2007-10-12 22:02:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The growing acceptance of punishing "thought crimes" frankly scares the hell out of me. I take it as an indication that our Republic is on a fast downhill slide and may not survive much longer.
2007-10-13 01:47:33 · answer #8 · answered by gunplumber_462 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
A crime is a crime, the motivation shouldn't matter, if you want to be tougher on crime fine, punish all crimes like hate crimes, but don't say beating or killing one person is worse than beating or killing someone else.
2007-10-12 21:54:44 · answer #9 · answered by crushinator01 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Yes they may give stricter sentances than non-hate crimes. But anything to promote tolerance and respect for one another I'm all for.
2007-10-12 21:51:29 · answer #10 · answered by T F 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋