## Hate crimes in Tennessee **Hate crimes** are criminal offenses motivated by bias against the victim's actual or perceived membership in a protected category. State law adds an enhancement (extra penalty) on top of the underlying crime. ### Tennessee protected categories Race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity (sentencing enhancement). ## How hate crimes work Two main models: **Sentencing enhancement** — increases penalties for an underlying crime when motivated by bias. Most common approach. **Substantive hate-crime offense** — bias motivation creates a separate crime. Used in some states. Either way, prosecution must prove: 1. The underlying crime occurred 2. The defendant intentionally selected the victim because of (or with motivation by) protected-class membership 3. Sometimes specific intent or knowledge requirements ## Federal hate crime laws Beyond state law, federal hate crime laws apply: **Matthew Shepard / James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (2009)** — federal jurisdiction over hate crimes based on: - Race, color, religion, national origin - Gender, sexual orientation, gender identity - Disability **Civil Rights Act statutes** — additional federal hate-crime tools: - 18 U.S.C. § 245 — interference with federally protected activities - 18 U.S.C. § 247 — religious-property damage - 18 U.S.C. § 249 — Shepard-Byrd offenses - 42 U.S.C. § 3631 — fair housing crimes Federal prosecution typically reserved for cases state authorities won't or can't pursue effectively. ## Common hate-crime underlying offenses - Assault / battery - Intimidation / harassment / stalking - Vandalism / graffiti targeting - Cross-burnings - Burning religious symbols - Property destruction with bias motivation - Murder / manslaughter - Sexual assault - Threats by phone / text / online - Robbery - Cyber-bullying / online harassment ## Common defenses - **Lack of bias motivation** — bias not a substantial factor - **Underlying crime not proven** - **Wrong defendant identified** - **First Amendment issues** — hate speech alone not criminal; conduct + bias is - **Impulsive vs targeted** — random violence rather than selection-by-class - **Constitutional challenges** to specific statute ## First Amendment issues Hate crime laws survive First Amendment challenges because they target CONDUCT, not pure speech. Pure expressions of bias (offensive jokes, social-media posts, opinions) generally remain protected — though they may become evidence of motivation when paired with criminal acts. **True threats** and **incitement** are not protected and can be criminal in their own right. **Wisconsin v. Mitchell (1993)** upheld penalty-enhancement statutes; bias motivation is a constitutionally permissible sentencing factor. ## How prosecutors prove motivation - **Defendant's statements** during the crime (slurs, threats) - **Pre-crime statements** — communications, social media - **Affiliations** — extremist group membership - **Selection patterns** — only targeting members of one group - **Clothing / symbols** — patches, tattoos, gear - **Site of the crime** — synagogue, mosque, LGBTQ space - **Witness testimony** about defendant's expressed views ## Reporting hate crimes Victims and witnesses can report to: - Local law enforcement - State Attorney General - FBI (call FBI tip line for federal hate crimes) - State Civil Rights Commission - Anti-Defamation League (ADL) - Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) - Local civil-rights organizations ## Civil remedies for victims Beyond criminal prosecution, victims may have: - **Civil lawsuits** under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (when state actor involved) or § 1981/1982 (private discrimination) - **State-law civil actions** for damages - **Anti-Klan Act claims** (42 U.S.C. § 1985(3)) for conspiracies - **Hate Crimes Statistics Act** civil enforcement - **Crime victim compensation funds** ## What you should do If you've been the victim of a hate crime in Tennessee: get medical care first, document everything (photos, screenshots, witness names), report to law enforcement and ask that bias motivation be specifically investigated, and contact civil-rights organizations for support. If you're charged with a hate crime: hire criminal-defense counsel IMMEDIATELY — these cases carry significant additional penalties and often draw heightened public attention. --- *This guide is general information about Tennessee and federal law as of early 2026 and is not legal advice. Hate crime law has expanded in many states recently. Talk to a licensed Tennessee attorney about your specific situation.*