Crimes of Hate
California Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp has suggested that special legislation be enacted to categorize certain misdemeanor crimes as felonies if they are committed on the basis of race, religion, sexual preference, sex, etc.
This is a perfect example of creating an unnecessary law when we can’t even enforce the ones we currently have on the books.
Our judicial system is already bursting at the seams with the serious felony crimes such as murder, rape and armed robbery, and I suggest that Van de Kamp and the California Legislature concentrate their efforts toward streamlining justice in these areas rather than undertake another social experiment at the expense of the state taxpayers.
BOB CONSTANTINE
Placentia
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