Why do hate crimes get a much worse sentence than crimes of the generic variety?

Well, the first is motive changes the charge. First degree murder is worse than third degree. Hate crimes are also a special sort of crime that has impact beyond the victim.

If I kill someone for sleeping with my wife, it's a single incident limited to my experience with that person. If I kill someone for being gay, every gay person who is aware of that crime has a legitimate reason to be afraid of me and others.

Hate crimes also typically tie into a greater worldview. If one person is killing people for being gay, it's likely other people have that same worldview and may be encouraged to follow suit.

The history of lynching is a good indication at this kind of thing when its at its worst. Or for example, pogroms against Jewish people.

SW-User

A sad question to ask...
One would think that humans with the highly evolved brain structure that we possess would know better....clearly,
We don't.

The golden rule ..
People treat others like shit...so
You get treated like shit..

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SW-User

@Invisible mandatory minimums are a terrible idea ..
you create career criminals,
..

i saw it first hand in my states juvenile justice system..

Invisible · 26-30, M

@SW-User The minimums would not be problematic if they were appropriately designed. That's probably not the case

SW-User

@Invisible none are

Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

To show others with a hateful mentality what they can expect should they be found guilty of the same.
To act as a deterrent to others.

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Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

@Invisible From an English perspective, i think there was a significant rise in the number of race related offences.
Possible aimed at Muslim men and women in Britain following some of the evil stuff we'd seen where supposed Muslims were going crazy and stabbing people in London and Manchester.
The murder of the Guardsman Lee Rigby right outside his place of work by two 'Muslim' men and their subsequent arrest and detainment was highlighted repeatedly in the news. And the fact these guys just stood in the street and willingly allowed themselves to be arrested...plus everything we've seen since.

Invisible · 26-30, M

@Picklebobble2 I thought the law was soft on Muslims over there, especially migrants?

Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

@Invisible Nooooo! they don't specifically seek Muslims out, but because they come here and then stay within a very enclosed 'society' in certain areas. These places have often been 'no-go' areas for police; council officials; etc. In the past there have been riots and one section of the public (always the 'bully-boy' white British element)try and provoke them . Probably more for the fact they choose NOT to integrate !

damselfly · 100+, F

Hate is the motivation behind a crime of the generic variety; that's what a hate crime is. They are crimes perpetrated against victims (murder, harassment, grievous bodily harm, rape, etc) because you hate who or what (you think) they are

Invisible · 26-30, M

@damselfly if that's the case, then why is there a distinction between normal crime and hate crime? Isn't that unfair as it leads to vastly different sentences for the same crimes?

damselfly · 100+, F

@Invisible No, thats a misapprehension. Hate crimes are so called because there is no gain for the perpetrator. Sentences are generally calculated for convictions based on consequences. So a hate crime which incites or encourages others will theoretically earn the perp a sentence designed to discourage copycats. The legal world isn't anywhere near hysteria point as tabloid headlines would have you believe

SW-User

Because, if it is not stopped earlier with hard sentences, it might lead to mass killing and genocide of race-faith in future.

damselfly · 100+, F

@SW-User race, faith and gender.

Invisible · 26-30, M

@SW-User Don't normal sentences already do that?

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