Hate Crimes and Punishment Hate crimes should not be punished differently than other crimes. The actual crime should be punished, not the reasoning behind it. The idea of punishing crimes differently based on victims might make some people or groups feel that others are more protected or valued than they are. The concept of punishing crimes differently because of motive is senseless, unnecessary, and an injustice. Again, the actual crime should be punished not the reasoning behind it. “Murder is murder, robbery is robbery, rape is rape, a gang attack is a gang attack, and premeditated murder is premeditated murder”, regardless of motive