Official Web Site of the City of Phoenix

What is a Hate Crime?

"A crime committed against persons or property which is motivated by an individual's dislike of a race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or gender."

If a person or a group is threatened, harassed, assaulted, even murdered, or someone's property is damaged by any means, including arson, a crime has occurred. If the primary reason the crime took place is because of someone's race, religious beliefs or practices, National origin/ethnicity, disability sexual orientation or gender, a hate crime may have been committed.

What should I do if I become the victim of a Hate Crime?

Victims should immediately report any and all such activities of crimes to their local police department for investigation and prosecution. Hate crimes are harsh, emotional, destructive and sometimes violent crimes. The only way to stop hate crimes is to report them.

If it happened to you, it has probably happened to others in your community. The police work closely with business groups, neighborhood associations and citizen organizations such as the Arizona Hate Crimes Advisory Board Inc. These crimes create a great deal of fear and distrust. If you fail to report these crimes you add to the problem

Are there specific laws against Hate Crimes?

Arizona currently maintains an "aggravated" or "increased sentencing" statute. This law provides that if a person is found to be responsible for a felony crime, and evidence satisfactory to the Court is presented, indicating the victim was intentionally selected because of race, religion, gender, National origin or sexual orientation, the court may impose a greater sentence of up to TEN (10) additional years.

What if I am not sure it's a Hate Crime?

Example: If someone makes a racial or religious remark that is offensive to you, that person has not necessarily committed a crime. Their remarks may be considered "protected speech" under the First Amendment. If you assault that person in retaliation for the remark, then you have committed a crime. However if that same person assaulted you while spouting racist or religious slurs, then you may be the victim of a hate crime

If you are not sure whether you are a victim of a hate crime, call the police and report the incident. You may be the victim of a hate crime, discrimination, civil rights violations or all three.

Police departments only investigate criminal offenses, but if a different type of violation exists you will be informed about your options. You may be told that a hate crime did not occur, but you still may be the victim of a crime. If that's the case, a police report and an investigation into the incident are still important.

What type of information will the police need?

• Calmly explain what crime occurred.
• Did this just happen?
• At what location did it occur?
• Can you describe the person who committed the crime?
• Was a vehicle involved?
• Did others witness the crime?
• Why do you think this occurred to you? (if you don't know it's OK, don't make up a reason)
• Did anyone have a weapon?
• Do you want to prosecute? (Remember, if you don't, chances are greater that this will happen to others.)
• Does anyone need medical help?
  

Is there anyone else who can help me?

• American Jewish Committee
• Chicanos Por La Causa
• Gay & Lesbian Community Center
• Local Victim Witness Programs
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
• Your local Law Enforcement Agency
• For Emergencies 911