A hate crime in Michigan happens when someone harms or threatens another person because of their race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other similar traits.
The crime may involve hurting someone physically, damaging their property, or making threats that scare or harm them.
A bias or hate incident is an act of prejudice that are not crimes and do not involve violence, threats, or property damage.
To investigate and prosecute hate crimes by following up on every credible tip and offer departmental resources to assist local and federal law enforcement partners in this effort.
"Hate itself is not a crime and our civil liberties protect the right to speak about even the most terrible of things," said Nessel. But when a criminal offense is committed against a person or property and it is motivated by an offender's bias against a particular group, then my Office will act.
Attorney General Nessel is encouraging members of the public and other law enforcement agencies to contact the Hate Crimes Unit if they have knowledge of, or are a victim of, a crime motivated by hate. The Department of Attorney General will follow up on every credible tip, will launch independent investigations when sufficient cause exists, and will offer departmental resources to assist our local and federal law enforcement partners.
If you are a victim of a hate crime or have credible information about a hate crime, please make a police report first, and then contact the Department of Attorney General.
