The two thugs can be acquitted of the beating and robbery in the appropriate local court and still be charged with hate in a federal court and convicted there. The USG uses “civil rights” violations to put people in prison after they are acquitted of the actual crimes charged. It is good for imprisoning members of proscribed groups when you can’t get them for actual crime.
1) A guy walks up to a girl in a bar and tells her what he’d like to do to her. She throws a drink in his face. The Bartender has the Bouncer toss him. The cop outside arrests him for Disorderly conduct.
2) A Gay guy walks up to a guy in a bar and tells him what he’d like to do to him. The guy throws a drink in his face. The Bartender has the Bouncer toss him. The cop outside arrests the Bouncer, the Bartender and the guy for a Hate Crime. The bar’s license is suspended until the owner and Staff attend Diversity Training.