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Legislation would help
codify hate crimes
Re: “Bill aims to bolster hate-crime charges” (Page B1, April 2).
I understand the purpose of the California Public Defenders Association’s opposition to further clarification of hate crime criteria that address prosecution problems based on accused perpetrators’ motivations. It’s currently too difficult for the DA to establish a case a jury relates to and will understand as a crime.
Hate has become normative in our society. So has hate-motivated behavior, and this affects juries.
This legislation (AB 1064) however will clarify for arresting officers, investigators, DAs and CPDAs that