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Compared are police, newspaper, TV, & public images of crime trends for the 7 US Federal Bureau of Investigation index crimes (homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, & motor vehicle theft) during a 3-month period in 1978, the relative occurrence f of these offenses, & characteristics of persons committing them. Media presentations of crime trends are found generally unrelated to trends in police statistics. Newspaper presentation of the relative distribution of crimes approximates police figures more closely than does TV presentation. Public views of the relative distribution of crimes but not of crime trends more closely approximate media presentations than police presentations. Possible reasons for these findings & their implications for crime news reporting are discussed. 3 Tables. Modified HA.

Explores the legal gravity of hate, critiquing the argument for hate crime laws. The Matthew Shepard & James Byrd prosecutions are discussed before providing a brief historical overview of hate crime laws in the US. Legal responses to hate violence that do not look to regulate opinion are next looked at. It is argued that supporters of hate crime laws tend to expand the concept of conspiracy in a dangerous manner. Other problems related to intent, state of mind, & belief are touched on. The prospect that hate crime laws might lead to hate speech laws is addressed, & it is concluded that actual crimes should be punished rather than the motivating beliefs of offenders. Adapted from the source document.