Hate Crimes

In recent decades, the population of North Carolina has become increasingly diverse, both ethnically and culturally. Unfortunately, with greater diversity has come a rise in the incidence of hate crimes in our state. In North Carolina, a hate crime is defined as a crime or violent incident perpetrated against someone solely because of his or her race, religion, or national origin/ethnicity. Hate crimes target individual victims, but they also victimize the entire community by creating fear, anger and mistrust.

The best way to stop hate crime is to report it. The Attorney General's Office encourages the prompt reporting, investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. Victims and Citizens Services, in cooperation with the North Carolina Justice Academy and the Division of Criminal Information in the State Bureau of Investigation, works with police chiefs, sheriffs, magistrates and district attorneys to tackle hate crimes in North Carolina.

Victims and Citizens Services can help answer legal questions about hate crimes, and our office can connect hate crime victims with assistance and resources in their communities. Our office is also a source of information and advice to local law enforcement agencies and district attorneys on investigations, constitutional and criminal procedure issues, and dealing with public reaction to the prosecution of hate crimes.

Laws against Hate Crime

The rights of all North Carolinians are protected by the United States Constitution, the North Carolina constitution, and state and federal law, and there are additional state and federal laws that make hate crimes illegal.

North Carolina's Ethnic Intimidation statute (N.C.G.S. 14-401.14) makes it a general misdemeanor to assault another person, damage or deface someone's property, or threaten to do either of these things, because of that person's race, color, religion or national origin. Judges in North Carolina may impose a stiffer sentence for any crime committed because of the victim's race, color, religion or national origin. Sentences for misdemeanors can be increased pursuant to N.C.G.S. 14-3(c). Felony sentences may be increased pursuant to N.C.G.S. 15A-1340.16(d)(17).

Hate crimes can also be prosecuted under federal law. Contact the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for more information.

Hate Crime Reporting

The federal Hate Crimes Statistics Act of 1990 requires the United States Attorney General to collect and publish data from states on hate crimes. This process is a critical step in learning about hate crime and how to stop it. North Carolina cooperates with the U.S. Attorney General by collecting statistics within the State. These statistics are reported by local law enforcement agencies and then analyzed by the State Bureau of Investigation-Division of Criminal Investigation. In addition, the North Carolina Justice Academy has developed courses to train officers to recognize and report hate crimes.

Other Resources

North Carolina Human Relations Commission http://www.doa.state.nc.us/hrc/hrc.htm
U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/crt-home.html
See our publication on Hate Crimes