5 ms·

What's the difference between first degree murder and second degree murder? Is that any different than a hate crime designation?

• s1artibartfast 3y ago
  Premeditation and planning is the difference between federal first and second degree murder.
  • rootusrootus 3y ago
    Intent, essentially. This sounds the same as a hate crime designation, which is also a matter of intent.
    • s1artibartfast 3y ago
      Hate crimes are actually not really based on intent. They are based on motivation. You commit a crime because of a protected characteristic if you act “wholly or partially” because of that characteristic. This may be demonstrated by showing that you were biased against the victim. Think of it this way: 1) what did you do 2) what were you trying to do 3) why did you want to do that 4) what led you to want that. Bias plays into the last two while intent is more about the second. There are some overlaps, but I would consider what intent to be different. Intent is what outcome you are trying to achieve. Motivation is Why you want to achieve that outcome.