[Tax-chick]

... spitting toward the defendant when he was wearing the robe is a criminal offense,” the judge said.

But spitting toward him if he were wearing jeans and a polo shirt wouldn't be a criminal offense?

Anyhow, some people are just trash, and punching one in the nose is certainly a natural response.

[American in Israel]

But spitting toward him if he were wearing jeans and a polo shirt wouldn't be a criminal offense?

No because it would not be a legally defined "hate crime".

Anyhow, some people are just trash, and punching one in the nose is certainly a natural response.

It seems the Judge agreed with you.