BACK HATE 5'?m3f Hate crimes laws: politics as usual (scene: judge's bench or podium) JUDGE -- (enters wearing black robe, crosses to bench, pounds gavel) This court will come to order. (reads) Our first order of business is the arraignment of Robert Edward Johnson. Are the attorneys present? PROSECUTOR -- (enters carrying two file folders, crosses speaking) The defendant is charged with one count of simple assault, Your Honor. (opens folder, drops on Judge's bench) JUDGE -- (studies folder very briefly) I see. And how does the defendant plead? DEFENSE -- (enters carrying briefcase, crosses speaking) Your Honor, my client was prepared to enter into a plea bargain with the D.A.'s office. But the prosecutor is not proceeding in good faith. JUDGE -- Is that true? PROSECUTOR -- It's partially true, Your Honor. The defendant did offer to plea to disorderly conduct, but our hands are tied on this matter. JUDGE -- How so? PROSECUTOR -- The assault in question has been labeled a hate crime and, as such, the law limits our latitude in resolving the case without a jury trial. JUDGE -- A hate crime, you say? PROSECUTOR -- Yes. The victim of the assault is a member of a group that is on the list of hate crime victims. JUDGE -- So, the victim is the member of a minority? PROSECUTOR -- In a manner of speaking. DEFENSE -- In a pig's eye. JUDGE -- Order in the court! (pounds gavel) DEFENSE -- I'm sorry, Your Honor. But if anything qualifies as a travesty of justice, this case certainly does. JUDGE -- Why? DEFENSE -- (to Prosecutor) You say it. I can't say it with a straight face. JUDGE -- What's going on here?! PROSECUTOR -- The MINORITY that the victim belongs to is... well, he's a tool and die maker. JUDGE -- A tool and die maker?! You're joking! PROSECUTOR -- No, Your Honor. (opens another folder, lays on bench) The new state law took effect yesterday. The defendant is the first person to be tried for this hate crime. JUDGE -- This is unbelieveable! DEFENSE -- That's what I said. JUDGE -- You mean that if the defendant is found guilty, he'll get extra jail time merely because is victim was a tool and die maker?! PROSECUTOR -- According to the new law, the penalty is twenty years to life. And the penalty is non-negotiable. JUDGE -- This is unbelieveable! How could this happen? DEFENSE -- This is what happens when society stops thinking about justice for individuals and starts promoting groups through the justice system. JUDGE -- You're right. The constitution has no provision for rights for groups. Only for individuals. DEFENSE -- That's exactly what I'm saying, Your Honor. The Tool and Die Makers association only made an existing travesty more obvious. PROSECUTOR -- Don't blame me. I didn't write the law. DEFENSE -- Like the other minorities, the tool and die makers knew that if their name got into the headlines more often, their group would receive free publicity, and would likely receive special privileges elsewhere in society. So, they lobbied the state legislature to get tool and die makers put on the hate crime list. And now it's law. PROSECUTOR -- You know, I personally never really like the hate crime laws. I never thought that a crime deserves a stiffer penalty merely because the victim's group is on a list. I hope noone thinks that this is anything personal. JUDGE -- (studying file) Nobody is blaming you. (sigh) Well, the statute is clear. If the defendant knew that the victim was a member of the listed group... PROSECUTOR -- We have witnesses that will swear the the defendant knew his victim was a tool and die maker, Your Honor. JUDGE -- Well, I guess that leaves me no choice. The tool and die makers will get their wish. If they want headlines, they've got headlines. This simple assault will be tried as a hate crime with a minimum penalty of twenty years in prison. DEFENSE -- Your Honor! Isn't there SOMETHING you can do? JUDGE -- I'm sorry. How does the defendant plead? DEFENSE -- (sigh) Not guilty. JUDGE -- I assume that the D.A. will recommend O.R.? PROSECUTOR -- Normally, we would recommend that the defendant would be released on his own recognizance, Your Honor. But, faced with a minimum sentence of twenty years, the risk of flight is huge. We recommend a bail of $100,000. JUDGE -- $100,000 for a punch in the nose?! PROSECUTOR -- That's what the guidelines call for, Your Honor. JUDGE -- Hate crimes! (pause) I'm going against the guidelines and releasing the defendant on his own recognizance. And if the defendant has any common sense at all he'll flee from this state and relocate to a jurisdiction that has the good sense to reject such ridiculous laws as hate crimes. (pounds gavel) This court is adjourned. (pounds gavel) (all exit) ©2013 Bob Snook. Conditions for use: Do not sell any part of this script, even if you rewrite it. Pay no royalties, even if you make money from performances. You may reproduce and distribute this script freely, but all copies must contain this copyright statement. http://www.bobsnook.org email: [email protected] BACK |