At What Age Should Someone Be Charged With A Hate Crime?

[sp1814]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/white-teenager-swastika-n-word-paint-black-family-new-york-home-fire-schodack-laquan-madison-a7742371.html

Not if you're 15 in America apparently.

Do you think that 15 is too young, or by that age do you think people should be considered cognisant of their actions?

[anotheoldgit]

Would his sentence be more sever if it was deemed a hate crime?

If the answer is yes, then no he is not too young.

Such hate crime is horrific, be the victims black, white or any other colour.

[sp1814]

Yes - when a crime is defined as a hate crime, it carries a heavier sentence, which I personally think is a good thing.

It counters those who targets specific groups.

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// It counters those who targets specific groups. ///

By 'specific groups' I presume you mean everyone who the perpetrator happens to hate, or is it just certain specific groups that you are referring to?

[New Judge]

Strangely I just made a remark on the question about lowering the voting age on the very topic of the age of criminal responsibility.
Fifteen in the USA and you do not bear responsibility for a "hate crime"; sixteen in the UK and some believe you are ready to vote.

Another thing that makes me chuckle is the insistence by the media of refusing to publish "the N-word" in full. I find it astonishing that the word cannot be used in full in a report describing where it has been used as an offensive insult. It's just ridiculous.

[youngmafbog]

Sod the swastika, he should be removed from society for a very long time for torching this fella's gaff, that is far far worse than words.

[woofgang]

Is there such a thing as a “not hate” crime?

[youngmafbog]

For torching someone's drum I would have thought not.

[rockyracoon]

'We're OK. This is just something I accept. This is the world that we're living in,' homeowner Jennifer Madison says

How sad is that sentence.

At 15, my kids would know that was wrong, so, I think he should be charged with hate crime.

[jambutty]

I most definitely think he should be charged with a hate crime, at 15 he knows exactly what he's doing. Yes, that sentence is very sad rocky.

[sp1814]

NJ

It's the same as the C word.

Very few media outlets would write that in full either, as it's so offensive to so many people.

[Peter Pedant]

arson - you are still looking at double digit figures in the slammer

[Peter Pedant]

// 'We're OK. This is just something I accept. This is the world that we're living in,' homeowner Jennifer Madison says //

yes I read that sentence - but context is all
she doesnt accept the crime

she was asked if this would make her move and
she said " We're OK .....

if you recollect when an ENglish child was shot in one of the many school shootings the parents were asked if they would move back to dear old Blighty and said. "no we are living the american dream......"
and we all sort of went 'yeah, right .....'