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Do hate crime laws violate the First Amendment or punish thought?

April 26, 2017Amendment crime hate Laws punish violate

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Do hate crime laws violate the First Amendment or punish thought?

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No. Hate crimes laws punish violent acts, not beliefs or thoughts even violent thoughts. Hate crime statutes do not punish, nor prohibit in any way, namecalling, verbal abuse or expressions of hatred toward any group even if such statements amount to hate speech. It is only when the perpetrator crosses the line from speech to criminal action that hate crime laws might come into effect.