Although I don't think I'd use the word "stupid," I tend to agree with shinerbock on this one. That is, I don't see much point in a separate classification for a "hate crime."

Most jurisdictions already have a system of aggravating and mitigating factors that are used to heighten or lesses punishment for a crime. To me, it makes more sense and is overall more consistent with criminal laws in general to make racial (or gender, or religious, or whatever) hatred an aggravating factor -- "that the crime was motivated by racial [or whatever else] hatred" -- rather than to charge someone for assault or murder and also charge them with a hate crime.

Still doesn't justify DRAGGING someone behind a truck . .you can't do someone else severe bodily harm or kill someone in self defense unless you have a reasonable fear that your life's end is imminent . .doubt that happened in this case.

I do not practice criminal law, but my understanding of hate crime legislation (in Florida) is it imparts more severe punishment on crimes that are committed based on race, gender, national origin and sexuality. If you kill someone, it may enhance the punishment if you didn't intend to kill the person to an intentional crime if the government can establish that the crime was done based on a person's protected status. I think it is good call on the part of legislatures to attempt to eradicate these types of crimes, that are based solely on another's contempt for someone that is different. Contrary to what people want to admit . .hangings still do occur.

The purpose behind hate crime legislation is to achieve formal legal guidelines for the aggravating and mitigating factors as they pertain to group membership. As opposed to relying on judicial and presecutorial discretion.

I understand precisely what hate crimes are. However, if you're trying to tell me that hate crime prosecution only occurs when the primary motivation was race, you're completely wrong. Remember that guy (NY I think?) that recently made news because he beat up some black kid while the kid was boosting cars? He used a racial slur, and last I heard they were prosecuting for a hate crime. Its simply ridiculous.

WE ALREADY PROSECUTE CRIME.

If there was a shred of evidence that hate crime legislation acted as a deterrent, it may make some logical sense.

We never get rid of laws just because laws aren't 100% effective.

Every law can be misapplied.

That's exactly what aggravating factors do as well.

Not unlike the felony murder rule. If you manage to kill someone while in the commission of another felony, say robbery, you can be charged with murder even if the other elements of murder (such as intent) are not present.

Aggravating factors are set by statute, just like definitions of crimes are.

Understand, I have no problem with the motivation and goal behind hate crime legislation. In some ways, it's a semantics thing. Where "hate crime" means "sentencing enhancement," I'm all for it. But in those instances where the classification of "hate crime" is proposed as essentially a separate chargeable offense, that's when I have a problem.

You mean like figurative lynchings? I'm sure hangings have occurred, but I highly doubt there is a recent trend.

Theres no sound reason for the law in the first place.

To be sure, none of the criminal legislation really acts as a deterrent - thus why the prison populations continually growing. Does that mean we eliminate all criminal statutes we don't agree with? :confused:

"Aggravating factors" like "targeted because of race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion?" If so, hate crime legislation is redundant. If not, the aggravating factors aren't detailed enough and that's why we have hate crime legislation.

Whatever the semantics may be, hate crimes are essentially a sentencing enhancement because offenses like vandalism and assault carry tougher penalties if they are motivated by hate.

No, like literal lynchings . . .didn't say it was a trend . . but it still does occur.

Exactly. There is no deterrence.

So if lack of evidence of deterrence was the point, we should get rid of capital punishment, drug penalties, traffic laws, and most of the criminal code.

Precisely!

Precisely! In Florida it is used as an enhancement, I believe.