Georgia Senate is trying to simplify gang prosecutions

Georgia senators want to ease the prosecution of gang crimes in every county, part of a trend by Republicans pushing for tough action on crime.

That’s just one provision included in Senate Bill 12, a crime-busting bill that passed the Senate by a 44-8 vote Thursday. It would also increase penalties for a criminal convicted of certain domestic violence crimes later found with a gun, require people arrested on gang charges to be able to obtain bail only from a higher court judge, and require those convicted of abusing seniors and disabled adults to serve longer prison sentences.