240.31 - Aggravated harassment in the first degree.

§ 240.31 Aggravated harassment in the first degree.    A  person  is guilty of aggravated harassment in the first degree when  with intent to harass, annoy, threaten or alarm another person,  because  of  a belief or perception regarding such person's race, color, national  origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age,  disability  or sexual orientation, regardless of whether the belief or perception is  correct, he or she:    1. Damages premises primarily used for religious purposes, or acquired  pursuant  to section six of the religious corporation law and maintained  for purposes of religious instruction, and the damage  to  the  premises  exceeds fifty dollars; or    2.  Commits the crime of aggravated harassment in the second degree in  the manner proscribed by the provisions of subdivision three of  section  240.30 of this article and has been previously convicted of the crime of  aggravated harassment in the second degree for the commission of conduct  proscribed  by  the provisions of subdivision three of section 240.30 or  he or she has been previously  convicted  of  the  crime  of  aggravated  harassment in the first degree within the preceding ten years; or    3. Etches, paints, draws upon or otherwise places a swastika, commonly  exhibited  as  the emblem of Nazi Germany, on any building or other real  property, public or private, owned by any person, firm or corporation or  any public agency or instrumentality, without express permission of  the  owner or operator of such building or real property;    4. Sets on fire a cross in public view; or    5. Etches, paints, draws upon or otherwise places or displays a noose,  commonly  exhibited  as  a  symbol  of  racism  and intimidation, on any  building or other real property, public or private, owned by any person,  firm or corporation or any public  agency  or  instrumentality,  without  express  permission  of  the  owner or operator of such building or real  property.    Aggravated harassment in the first degree is a class E felony.