A Multi-Method Analysis of Structural Barriers to Hate Crime Prosecution

• In Event: Improving the Systems Response to Hate Crimes: Key Considerations among Prosecutors and Community Organizations

Abstract

While prior research on hate crimes has examined the role of socioeconomic factors in predicting victimization and the barriers to prosecution, little is known about how neighborhood demographic and economic characteristics shape prosecutorial decision-making. This study addresses this gap by applying social disorganization theory to assess whether variables such as poverty rates, income levels, racial and ethnic diversity, and educational attainment, among others, influence the likelihood of hate crime cases being prosecuted, the application of bias charges, and case disposition. Spatial analysis and regression modeling were adopted to examine 232 hate crime incidents, including case-specific details on offenders, victims, and bias motivation, reported to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office from 2019 to 2023. These data were merged with Census tract indicators to assess their influence on prosecutorial decisions. Findings provide evidence on how socioeconomic variables impact prosecutorial outcomes in hate crime cases, offering a connection between social disorganization theory and legal decision-making. The study contributes to the broader discussion on the prosecutor’s role beyond legal case processing, highlighting their influence on case resolution, interactions with law enforcement, and engagement with the communities they serve to prevent hate crimes.

Author

• Eduardo Mendoza Montoya, Florida International University