A chara, – Amanda Haynes and Jennifer Schweppe (“Amendments to hate crime Bill needed to avoid pitfalls”, Opinion & Analysis, November 10th) state that: “There is no requirement that the prosecution prove that they committed the crime because they were motivated by hatred” but rather that they can commit the crime for any reason but can be convicted if they have been shown to demonstrate hatred towards a group named in the legislation.
In other words, the presumption of innocence until proven guilty is removed.
Worryingly, they predict that the courts will have to deal with many more hate crimes cases because the definition is so broad.
Given the lack of a requirement to provide proof of hatred as motive, these prosecutions will ultimately come down to whether the judge or jury like the cut of the defendant’s jib or not. – Is mise,
Joe Schmidt: ‘I felt if we could have built on our lead after half time’
‘It doesn’t have to be them or us’: Teachers behind new book of refugees’ stories want to challenge stereotypes
Ed Sheeran and Mary Robinson are right. It’s time to bin Band Aid
Podcast giant Joe Rogan may have played key role in US elections
DAVE SLATER,
Kilkea,
Co Kildare.