Many prosecutorial offices rely on specialized units and roles to process hate crimes. Nonetheless, little research has sought to understand how these structures affect hate crime detection and prosecution. Drawing on original data collected through interviews with 66 chief local prosecutors (District and State Attorneys) across the country, we identify the forms and implications of these structures and processes for hate crime detection, investigation, and prosecution. Only a third of offices had a hate crimes unit, task force, or specialized prosecutor. In smaller jurisdictions, such specialization is hard to achieve. Findings show that formal structures can confer some advantages for hate crime prosecution, notably clear points of contact for law enforcement and communities. However, specialized approaches had little impact on later stages of case processing, including plea bargaining. Whatever the structure, hate crime prosecution must include oversight, a culture of accountability, and community involvement. (Publisher abstract provided.)
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