Another Texas Dragging

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

"Aggravating factors" like "targeted because of race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion?"

Yes. Some sample aggravating factors:

-- the offense was committed for the benefit of, or at the direction of, any criminal street gang;

-- the offense was committed for the purpose of avoiding a lawful arrest;

-- the defendant has hired or paid to commit the offense;

-- the offense was particularly heinous, atrocious or cruel;

-- the victim was very old, very young, or physically or mentally handicapped;

-- the defendant took advantage of a position of trust;

-- the offense was committed against a victim because of the victim's race, color, religion, nationality or country of origin.

This kind of "hate crime" I have no problem with, although I think it is a misnomer to call it a "hate crime," since that implies a separate chargeable offense. But I have heard calls to actually create a separate chargeable offense called a "hate crime," and that is what I have problems with. Sorry if I haven't been clearer.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

But I have heard calls to actually create a separate chargeable offense called a "hate crime," and that is what I have problems with. Sorry if I haven't been clearer.

Thanks for doing so.