Senator Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act adds penalties for violent crimes and mob assaults motivated by bias.

The Senator Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act amends South Carolina law to enhance penalties for violent crimes and second-degree mob assaults when the victim was intentionally targeted based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability. The act imposes an additional fine of up to $10,000 and an extra prison term of up to five years for such offenses. The court must allow evidence on whether the crime was motivated by bias and instruct the jury to find a special verdict on this matter.

Senator Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act adds penalties for violent crimes and mob assaults motivated by bias.

The Senator Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act amends South Carolina law to enhance penalties for violent crimes and second-degree mob assaults when the victim was intentionally targeted based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability. The act imposes an additional fine of up to $10,000 and an extra prison term of up to five years for such offenses. The court must allow evidence on whether the crime was motivated by bias and instruct the jury to find a special verdict on this matter.