Distinguishing a crime as a "hate" crime based on the offender's motivation to harm the victim because of the victim's physical characteristics or sexual orientation, so as to increase the penalty beyond what the crime would otherwise warrant, is an effort to deter a crime considered particularly heinous from the public's perspective. Stiffer penalties are intended to discourage potential hate crime perpetrators from committing such crimes. Further, the legislation provides an impetus for law enforcement to be more vigilant in the context of hate crimes. There are new methods of apprehension, more contact within the community, and an increased sensitivity toward hate crime victims. In more and more communities in the United States, after a bias-motivated crime has been committed, citizens are urging law enforcement to make arrests, prosecutors to convict, and judges to sentence the offender to the maximum allowable by law. Media publicity about hate crime offenses increases the public's awareness of the severity of these incidents and their long-term impact on communities. Law enforcement officials have communicated to the community that such violence will not be tolerated. The U.S. Supreme Court will continue to be a major influence in the area of hate crimes, as States become more creative in their legislative responses. 71 references