Report Hate. Get Support. Know Your Rights.

Not all hateful behavior is a crime. When a person’s action or behavior is motivated by hate but legally protected by the First Amendment, it is a hate incident rather than a hate crime.

Examples of hate incidents include:

• Name-calling
• Insults
• Displaying hate materials on one’s own property or clothing
• Distributing hate materials in public places that do not threaten violence

If a hate incident starts to threaten a person or property, it may become a hate crime. Hate incidents should still be reported to your local law enforcement agency.

Signs that a crime was motivated by hate may include:

• The offender chose the victim or property because they belonged to a protected group
• The offender made written or verbal comments showing a prejudice
• The crime happened on a date or at a place that is important for the victim’s protected group

If you are a victim of or a witness to a hate crime, it is important that you report the crime to your local law enforcement agency. If it is an emergency, immediately call 911. Seek medical attention if needed.

California law prohibits law enforcement agencies from stopping a person, who is reporting a hate crime, because of their immigration status.

Once you are no longer in danger and have obtained any needed medical attention, if feasible, you could:

• Document any details that may be helpful to the responding law enforcement agency
• Save any physical evidence, e.g., graffiti, writings, photographs of the offender(s) and their vehicles, and alert the responding law enforcement agency to it
• Get the names and contact information of other victims and witnesses

When a crime is committed, and the offender has a bias motivation that caused the act, California law allows for prosecution of the crime as a hate crime. This principle applies to crimes committed against persons or property.

Depending on the conduct, the crime may be prosecuted either as a misdemeanor or a felony.

Under Marsy’s Law, victims are afforded enumerated rights and protections during a criminal case process. Those include:

• Victim safety considerations
• Information regarding the charges filed and disposition of the case
• Presence at public proceedings and the opportunity to be heard
• Restitution

Alameda County District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Hotline

Victims and witnesses of a hate crime or hate incident can call our Hate Crimes Hotline, (510) 208-4824, which is available in multiple languages.  Through the hotline, our office can help connect victims and witnesses with local law enforcement partners, and provide resources and information as follow-up support.

The hotline is checked daily.  When leaving a message, callers should include their name, phone number, key details about the incident, and, if available, the suspect’s name and incident location.

Alameda County Family Justice Center

Founded in 2005, the Alameda County Family Justice Center provides coordinated care in one safe, confidential environment. The Center brings together nonprofits, law enforcement, attorneys, and other community partners under one roof to better serve victims and survivors of all ages and genders. Through this collaborative model, individuals can access safety planning, advocacy, legal support, counseling, emergency resources, Trauma Recovery Center services, and partner resources with compassion, respect, and support every step of the way.

The Alameda County Family Justice Center can be reached at (510) 267-8800.

For more information, visit

www.acfjc.org

Alameda County District Attorney’s Victim Witness Assistance Division 
Victim Witness advocates help reduce the trauma of victimization, protect victims’ rights, and connect survivors and witnesses to the services and support. The advocates serve as liaisons between victims, prosecutors, law enforcement, and community-based providers, from initial reports through case resolution. 

All services are offered free of charge and are available regardless of immigration status, income, language, or background. 

The Victim Witness Assistance Division can be reached at (510) 272-6180 or askvw-da@acgov.org.

California Civil Rights Department (CRD)

CRD is the state agency charged with enforcing the Ralph Civil Rights Act for civil remedies. For information on how to file a complaint, visit calcivilrights.ca.gov/complaintprocess, or call (800) 884-1684.

What can you and your community do?

Understand the problem:

• Hate crimes are underreported, especially in communities facing language, immigration, or trust barriers. All stakeholders can work together to understand the challenges so that solutions can be developed.

Speak out and raise awareness:

• Publicly speak out against hate and intolerance and ask public officials to do the same.

Foster law enforcement-community partnerships:

• Strong law-enforcement community partnerships can be highly effective at preventing and responding to hate crimes.