Which of the following is a common argument made by critics regarding the downside of hate crime legislation?

• A. It guarantees that all offenders receive harsher sentences regardless of motive.
• B. It is universally supported by all advocacy groups.
• C. It may infringe on free speech and lead to unequal protection under the law.
• D. It eliminates the need for any further criminal justice reform.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the core issue in the question, which is about the common criticisms of hate crime legislation.
2. Understand that hate crime laws are designed to impose harsher penalties on crimes motivated by bias against certain groups.
3. Recognize that critics often argue these laws may conflict with constitutional rights, such as free speech, because they punish motives or thoughts behind actions.
4. Consider the concern that hate crime laws might lead to unequal protection under the law, as they treat similar crimes differently based on the perpetrator's motive.
5. Evaluate the answer choices by comparing them to these common criticisms, focusing on the argument about free speech infringement and unequal legal protection.