Hate crimes in New Jersey - Mercer county criminal defense lawyer
Hate crimes imply a prejudice towards opinions and points of view that are different for another individual, this type of crime is not new, but it is one of those that is increasing every year. Hate crimes are very serious, because they affect not only the victims but also society. When a crime of resentment occurs, there are others who identify with the act and assume a certain sympathy, normalizing the act and encouraging others to repeat it. That is why there are laws against hate crimes. In this blog, a Mercer County criminal defense lawyer explains the main aspects of this type of crime.
What is a hate crime?
US law requires that a violation of this type requires that there be two components "hate" and "crime."
- Hate: In this case it does not refer to dislike or aggressive rejection of something. From a legal point of view, hatred means harming a person or groups with certain characteristics defined by law. It is a crime committed based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identification, or disability.
- Crime: This is a violent act against another individual, for example, assault, murder, arson, vandalism, or the threat of such acts. Even conspiring for others to carry out the crime.
In the US Constitution, there exists codes that protect individuals in New Jersey as well as other states from hate crimes. The first amendment guarantees freedom of expression and thought, no person can be persecuted for their beliefs, even if they are offensive to another. The Fourteenth Amendment prohibits discrimination based on race, nationality, or sex. These norms seek to guide society towards a framework of general tolerance, and are the foundation for another group of laws that regulate hate crimes.
What motivates a person to commit a hate crime?
Most hate crimes are committed to attack a race, ethnicity, religion or those linked to gender. There are many reasons why an individual commits a hate crime. The four most common reasons are:
- Search for emotion: Simple desire for criminal satisfaction.
- Defense: Protecting his land or resources in a situation that he considers threatening.
- Retaliation: Act to avenge an insult or assault from their perspective.
- Mission: Strongly committed to some fanaticism or ideology
How to report a hate crime in New Jersey
Hate crimes are hardly reported, but it is very important to do so that the government can design policies and laws to control them. If you think you are the victim of a hate crime or are in the presence of one, you can do the following: