COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued an opinion Monday saying that local hate crime ordinances could potentially be struck down if they come before the state Supreme Court.

The opinion, released after a request was made by the city of Greenwood, which is considering a hate crime ordinance almost identical to the one that was passed in Cayce in 2024 .

The Cayce ordinance makes it illegal to intimidate anyone based on gender, sexual orientation, race or religion, among other things. A charge under this ordinance could result in a fine of up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail.

Wilson said in his opinion that while municipal laws are considered valid unless they are struck down by a court, local hate intimidation ordinances could be struck down because the

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