Hate Crimes


What is a Hate Crime?

The FBI defines a hate crime to be: a criminal offense committed against a person, property or society which is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender's bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin.




Ethnic intimidation Act, also called Michigan's hate crimes law
  1. A person is guilty of ethnic intimidation if that person maliciously, and with specific intent to intimidate or harass another person because of that person's race, color, religion, gender, or national origin, does any of the following:
    • Causes physical contact with another person.
    • Damages, destroys, or defaces any real or personal property of another person.
    • Threatens, by word or act, to do an act described in subdivision (a) or (b), if there is reasonable cause to believe that an act described in subdivision (a) or (b) will occur.
  2. Ethnic intimidation is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or by a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.
  3. Regardless of the existence or outcome of any criminal prosecution, a person who suffers injury to his or her person or damage to his or her property as a result of ethnic intimidation may bring a civil cause of action against the person who commits the offense to secure an injunction, actual damages, including damages for emotional distress, or other appropriate relief. A plaintiff who prevails in a civil action brought pursuant to this section may recover both of the following:
    • Damages in the amount of 3 times the actual damages described in this subsection or $2,000.00, whichever is greater.
    • Reasonable attorney fees and costs.

The Ethnic Intimidation Act does not include sexual orientation. The Uniform Crime Reporting System Act does require law enforcement officials to collect information on crimes committed because of a bias against the victim's sexual orientation.

Crimes motivated by prejudice or bias.The chief of police of each city or village, the chief of police of each township having a police department, and the sheriff of each county within this state shall report to the department of state police, in a manner prescribed by the department, information specified under section 1 related to crimes motivated by prejudice or bias based upon race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.



Where to Report a Hate Crime
  • Public Safety: 487-2216
  • Local Police: 911
  • Dean of Students Office: 487-2212
  • Affirmative Programs Office: 487-3310


Hate Crime Resources
Other Resources