Report Hate Crimes in Charleston, SC - Guide

Civil Rights and Equity South Carolina 3 Minutes Read · published February 21, 2026 Flag of South Carolina

If you or someone else is a victim of a hate crime in Charleston, South Carolina, act promptly. Start by calling 911 for emergencies, then report the incident to the Charleston Police Department and to federal civil-rights authorities so criminal and civil options are preserved. This guide explains who enforces hate-crime matters in Charleston, how to file reports, what to preserve as evidence, and where to find official help and forms.

How to report a hate crime

Follow these immediate steps to make an official report and preserve evidence.

  • Call 911 if anyone is in danger or the incident is ongoing.
  • Contact the Charleston Police Department online or by phone and file a local police report: Charleston Police Department - Contact[1]
  • Report to the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for federal civil-rights review: Report to U.S. DOJ Civil Rights[2]
  • Submit a report to the FBI’s Civil Rights / Hate Crimes unit online for federal criminal investigation: FBI Hate Crimes Information[3]
  • Preserve evidence: save messages, photos, video, eyewitness names, and the exact time and place of the incident.
  • Consider victim services and medical documentation immediately; request a copy of any medical records and the police report.
If safe, photograph injuries and property damage and note witness names before leaving the scene.

Penalties & Enforcement

Charleston Police Department investigates local criminal conduct and can refer cases to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for federal prosecution when federal civil-rights statutes are implicated. For state- or federal-level penalties and sentencing, see the federal and state agencies listed in Resources; specific fine amounts or statutory enhancements are not specified on the Charleston Police page cited above.[1]

  • Enforcer: Charleston Police Department (local investigation and report-taking). See the department contact page for complaint submission and non-emergency reporting.[1]
  • Federal enforcement: U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI may pursue civil-rights or hate-crime charges; details and filing guidance are on their official pages.[2][3]
  • Monetary fines and criminal sentences: not specified on the cited Charleston page; consult federal statute citations on DOJ and FBI pages for federal penalties and applicable sentencing ranges.[2][3]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: court orders, restraining orders, restitution, and imprisonment are potential outcomes under criminal or civil proceedings (details depend on charge and prosecuting authority; not specified on the cited Charleston page).
  • Appeals and review: criminal convictions and sentencing are subject to standard appeal routes in state or federal court; time limits and procedures follow court rules and are not specified on the city reporting page.
City pages describe reporting pathways but do not list statutory penalty amounts; consult the cited federal pages for statutory penalties.

Applications & Forms

The Charleston Police Department accepts incident reports through its contact channels; there is no separate city “hate-crime” filing form published on the department page cited above, and federal reporting uses DOJ and FBI portals. For local reporting, request a copy of the police incident report from the department when you file.[1]

FAQ

Do I have to press charges to report a hate crime?
No; you can report an incident to police and federal civil-rights units even if you do not wish to press charges. Authorities may investigate independently.
Will reporting get me help or protection?
Police can take immediate protective measures and refer victims to support services; request victim-services information when you report.
Can hate incidents that are not crimes be reported?
Yes; bias incidents that do not meet criminal thresholds can still be reported to local authorities and civil-rights offices for tracking and community response.

How-To

  1. If there is danger, call 911 immediately and get to safety.
  2. Contact Charleston Police Department to file a local report and obtain the incident report number. Submit photos, video, and witness details when available.[1]
  3. Report the incident to federal civil-rights authorities via the DOJ and FBI online reporting portals to preserve federal review options.[2][3]
  4. Keep copies of all records, medical documentation, receipts for related expenses, and correspondence with law enforcement.
  5. If you receive a notice of investigation or charges, consult an attorney promptly to understand defenses and appeal rights.
Document dates, times, and exact words used in the incident; contemporaneous notes strengthen investigations.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 911 for emergencies and report to Charleston Police for local action.[1]
  • Report to federal civil-rights units (DOJ, FBI) to preserve federal review options.[2][3]

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Charleston Police Department - Contact & Reporting
  2. [2] U.S. Department of Justice - Report Civil Rights Violations
  3. [3] FBI - Hate Crimes

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