Should hate crimes have more punishment than "regular crimes"?

Brian

No. Hate crimes are inherently flawed and not being applied consistently. All Hate crime laws should be abolished.

Have any of the attacks on churches by the gays charged as a hate crime? I have not heard of one.

ornery and mean

No, the crimes should be equal.

A person that commits a crime does no more harm to a "member of a protected class" than they would anyone else. Once we start making one motive for a crime more severe than others ... we begin to lose equal protection under the law

In your example ... dead is dead! Would the victim be any less dead if they were straight?

Love Canada.

Should be equal

DOOM

EVERY crime is a hate crime. I've never heard of anyone murdering someone out of love.

Mr. Goodhi

Jaime P

No, I think the "hate" crime act is unconstitutional. You should not be punished twice for the same crime. that's what the "hate" crimes law does. If you murdered a person for them being gay why should you get a longer sentience if you murdered a person because they stole from you or his/her significant other left them. Its just not right in my opinion. Good luck.

E Honda

I think all intentional murders should be punished capitally with a mandatory death sentence.

I think that if someone is a real dumbbass and doesn't take care of the breaks on their car, or buys alcohol for a teenager, makes a blaring omission while performing a medical procedure, or accidentally kicks someone's butt a bar fight a little too hard, and one of those actions results in an accidental death, they should only be sentenced to serve 40 years (to age them to a point where they are less dangerous and volatile - and more mature), with an option for parole in 20.

Trying to break down the punishment and sentence by some kind of minority status might be a little over convoluted to be a realistic legal solution.

James J

There is a difference between motive and intent. Intent is used during the trial to prove that the defendant meant to commit the crime they are being charged with. Motive is used during sentencing when considering what punishment is adjudicated on someone found guilty of a particular crime. In the example above, the intent would be to murder a victim. Once guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt (approx 98% sure) then the Judge would consider the motive during the sentencing phase. This is where hate crimes come into play as there is usually stricter sentencing guidelines if the motive is determined to have been hatred of one group for another. The whole purpose of laws are to protect society. The whole purpose of the criminal justice system is to deter crime. When someone commits a hate crime, they knowingly and purposefully commit a crime in a predatory manner wherein they seek out a member of another group and do them harm. Given this rubrik, I think it makes sense, as a society to hold these people accountable for their crimes, and give them additional time to think about what they have done in prison. Furthermore, I believe the increased jail times will protect society, at least for the time being from a very destructive member. This is my two cents.

â€œIf it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.â€
-Marcus Aurelius

It really IS that simple.

poppyg

They should both be executed but the hate guy should be executed twice.

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