Serious charges carrying heavy sentences such as threatening state security have been used in the past to silence criticism of the government. (globalwitness.org)
The issue for the court was whether convicted defendants in criminal cases which attract mass publicity should receive heavier sentences for loudly protesting their innocence or for behaving for the benefit of paparazzi camped outside court in a way that many may find ridiculous or contemptible. (corkerbinning.com)
I am certain there have been many cases in the U.S. history that the court simply and clearly distinguished between free speech and hate speech and has set very heavy sentences for folks who did not care if their words cause harm. (religion.blogs.cnn.com)