The law states that people cannot be treated differently in certain areas of life because of certain personal characteristics. Listed below are the areas of life in which you are protected, and the personal characteristics that cannot be used as a reason to treat you differently. They can advise you on the options available to you to deal with the problem. There is no charge for these services. In Minnesota certain crimes are called bias crimes when they are committed against a person or group because of the race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or national origin of the victim.
Bias crimes allow for a penalty enhancement for an act that is already criminal.
Crimes that can be classified as bias crimes are assault, criminal trespass, criminal damage to property, harassment or stalking. For these crimes, hate motivation may be considered by the court as reason to impose a more severe sentence than for committing the same offense when not motivated by hate or bigotry. Bias crimes are based on fear, misunderstanding or dislike ofa certain group of people. Vandalism of a church, synagogue or cemetery. An attack on an individual because of his or her accent.