Advocates, including district attorneys, say a hate crimes law is important to send a message of validation to victims and intolerance to perpetrators. Gooden’s case is just one in which Georgia prosecutors might have considered using a hate crimes law. Those cases resulted in lengthy prison sentences, but a hate crimes law could have extended their terms. Any hate crime tied to a misdemeanouroffence would result in up to one additional year in prison; a hate crime tied to a felony would mean at least two additional years. In April, Indiana’s governor signed a hate crimes law that did not explicitly cover age, sex or gender identity.

Source: thestar June 02, 2019 12:22 UTC