NCJ Number
160024
Date Published
1994
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This chapter examines issues related to cultural diversity, tolerance, and the commission of hate crimes.
Abstract
Hate crime legislation includes Federal and State reporting statutes, civil rights laws, separate hate crimes, and sentence enhancement laws. The constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech does not extend to violent conduct which threatens the safety of others; two constitutional doctrines that confront hate crime legislation are "clear and present danger" and "fighting words." The chapter outlines characteristics of typical hate crime offenders and hate crime victims, and discusses the current approaches police agencies and the criminal justice system are taking toward the prevention and punishment of violent hate crimes. 32 references