What are “hate crimes”?

Hate crimes are criminal acts or acts of violence that are motivated by the perpetrator’s bias against a particular group or individual due to race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or disability. These crimes, which are prohibited by South Carolina law, are considered to be especially offensive because they target someone based on a personal characteristic rather than an individual action. Hate crimes can range from verbal harassment to physical assaults, destruction of property and even homicide. Examples of hate crimes include graffiti that targets certain ethnic or racial groups; physical violence against someone because of their religious beliefs or sexual orientation; destruction of property belonging to a particular ethnic or religious group; and intimidation based on someone’s gender or disability status. The penalties for hate crimes in South Carolina range from a misdemeanor to a felony. The punishments can include jail or prison time, fines, and in some cases, civil action. Additionally, victims of hate crimes are able to pursue civil action in South Carolina as well. Hate crimes are an affront to our civil society and must be addressed. It is important that victims of hate crimes contact law enforcement and seek legal counsel. By doing so, we can help ensure that hate crimes are punished appropriately and that the perpetrators of these crimes will be held accountable for their actions.

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What are “hate crimes”?

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