How Have Hate Crimes Increased Since Last Year?

 Posted on February 13, 2018 in Hate Crime Statute

Hate crimes are a very serious offense, which could cost you your overall quality of life. When faced with a hate crime, there are many unwanted consequences that could decrease the chance of obtaining employment and relationships with loved ones. Hate crimes can be violent in nature, and can cause serious injury or even death to others.

What Is a Hate Crime?

Hate itself is not necessarily a crime. However, a hate crime is defined as any type of crime, such as murder, arson, or vandalism, but with an added element of bias. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), a hate crime is when a person commits a criminal offense against someone else or other property due to the offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, gender and gender identity, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

Hate crimes have a devastating impact on families and communities, and individuals who commit such crimes are perceived to promote hatred and intolerance. Every year, the FBI investigates hundreds of cases that relate to hate crimes.

The Increase in Hate Crimes

In 2015, there were approximately 5,800 hate crimes that had been reported. One year later, in 2016, as many as 6,100 hate crimes that had been reported. Nearly six out of ten hate crimes were committed out of due bias against the other person’s race or ethnicity. There was also an increase in hate crimes over the past few years against certain religious groups, as well as certain identity groups, including the LGBT community.

Hate crimes against a certain race or ethnical background have risen from about 3,310 crimes in 2015 to 3,489 crimes one year later. About 50 percent of all of those crimes consisted of racism against a certain group. One out of five individuals affected were targeted because of their religion, and one out of six people affected were so due to their sexual orientation.

Call a Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or someone you know has been convicted of a hate crime, it is best to seek legal representation. At the Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney, we will do what it takes to protect your rights. For over 28 years, our seasoned Chicago federal criminal defense attorneys have provided effective legal representation to our Cook County area clients in hate crime matters, and we are ready to assist you with your unique case. To schedule a free initial consultation, please call 312-629-0669 today.

Sources:

https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/civil-rights/hate-crimes

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/11/13/hate-crimes-in-the-united-states-increased-last-year-the-fbi-says/?utm_term=.7515f6f56ab8