Criminal Justice (Aggravation by Prejudice) Bill 2016

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

Would let courts treat certain offences as more serious when they are driven by prejudice. If a crime is shown to have been motivated by hatred or ill-will based on race, colour, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity, the court would have to mark it as such and take that into account when sentencing, with reasons given if the sentence is higher than it otherwise would have been. It matters because it recognises hate-motivated offending as especially harmful and makes that clear in the criminal record and punishment.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to make provision for aggravation by prejudice of offences in circumstances where an offence, at the time of commission, is accompanied by prejudice relating to the race, colour or ethnic origin, a disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity of a person and to provide for related matters

Last updated 13 February 2020