Under the Bias-Related Crime Act of 1989 (D.C. Official Code § 22-3700 et. seq.), a bias-related, or hate, crime is a criminal act or attempted criminal act “that demonstrates an accused’s prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, homelessness, physical disability, matriculation, or political affiliation of a victim.”
It is important for the community to understand what is – and is not – a hate crime. First and foremost, the incident must be a crime. Although that may seem obvious, most speech is not a hate crime, regardless of how offensive it may be. In addition, a hate crime is not really a specific crime; it is a designation that makes available to the court an enhanced penalty. In short, a hate crime is not a crime, but a possible motive for a crime.
It can be difficult to establish a motive for a crime. Therefore, the classification as a hate crime is subject to change as an investigation proceeds – even as prosecutors continue an investigation. If a person is found guilty of a hate crime, the court may fine the offender up to 1½ times the maximum fine and imprison him or her for up to 1½ times the maximum term authorized for the underlying crime.
While the District strives to reduce crime for all residents of and visitors to the city, hate crimes can make a particular community feel vulnerable and more fearful. This is unacceptable, and is the reason everyone must work together not just to address allegations of hate crimes, but also to proactively educate the public about hate crimes.
If a person is found guilty of a hate crime, the court may fine the offender up to 1½ times the maximum fine and imprison him or her for up to 1½ times the maximum term authorized for the underlying crime. D.C. Official Code § 22-3703.
| Type of Bias | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | YTD thru 3/31/2020 |
YTD thru |
| Ethnicity/National Origin | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 40 | 49 | 61 | 29 | 7 | 12 |
| Race | 28 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 19 | 13 | 47 | 39 | 46 | 31 | 8 | 11 |
| Religion | 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Sexual Orientation | 43 | 46 | 31 | 27 | 27 | 40 | 55 | 60 | 60 | 38 | 9 | 4 |
| Gender Identity/Expression | 11 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 19 | 13 | 34 | 27 | 27 | 6 | 0 |
| Disability | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Political Affiliation | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Homelessness | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sex/Gender | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 92 | 80 | 68 | 70 | 66 | 106 | 177 | 205 | 203 | 132 | 31 | 27 |
NOTE: On March 22, 2019 an audit was conducted to identify offenses that have been unfounded. The following counts were removed from the data for the following years:
- 2012: 1
- 2013: 2
- 2014: 1
- 2015: 0
- 2016: 1
- 2017: 2
- 2018: 4
Additional Information Regarding Bias-Related Crime
- The 2019 report on Bias-Related Crimes in the District of Columbia may be viewed in the 2019 Annual Report (page 44)
- The 2018 report on Bias-Related Crimes in the District of Columbia may be viewed in the 2018 Annual Report (page 42)
- The 2017 report on Bias-Related Crimes in the District of Columbia may be viewed in the 2017 Annual Report (page 42)
- The 2016 report on Bias-Related Crimes in the District of Columbia may be viewed in the 2016 Annual Report (page 30)
- The 2015 report on Bias-Related Crimes in the District of Columbia may be viewed in the 2015 Annual Report (page 30)
- The 2014 report on Bias-Related Crimes in the District of Columbia may be viewed in the 2014 Annual Report (page 44)
- The 2013 report on Bias-Related Crimes in the District of Columbia may be viewed in the 2013 Annual Report (page 44)
- The 2012 report on Bias-Related Crimes in the District of Columbia may be viewed in the 2012 Annual Report (page 47)
- The 2011 report on Bias-Related Crimes in the District of Columbia may be viewed in the 2011 Annual Report (page 46)
- See the section on Bias-Related Crimes from the 2010 Annual Report (page 22)
Download the Feb. 2010 report: "Bias-Related Crime in the District of Columbia" - See the section on Bias-Related Crimes from the 2009 Annual Report (page 26)
Download the Nov. 2009 report: "Bias-Related Crime in the District of Columbia"