Reply #25: I'm an ex-prosecutor

[kanrok]

I know that, at least in my state, we can introduce at a sentencing hearing evidence of the motive behind a crime. The motve can then be used to enhance the sentence. If the motive was that the crime was committed because of a person's individual characteristic, be it the color of their skin or the nature of their sexual preference, it would increase the penalty. I agree with the original poster that each crime of violence is committed with some level of hate. If the hate is directed towards a person's background, to me, it is more egregious than one committed as an act of passion. So, it seems reasonable to me that additional laws need not be enacted to address this problem. Kapiche?