Four Day "No interpreter? Release" Policy?

[Nesmuth]

Recently I was involved with a case of a deaf man being accused of raping a deaf woman in the San Diego area.

The court couldnt find interpreter to accommodate him in the trial. They let him go. Charges dropped. They held him for 4 days.

Yesterday I was approacedy by someone from the San Fernando Valley area who told me of a similar story. Same thing 4 day hold, no interpreter, charges dropped.

Are we seeing a new trend that California courts are ending up dropping serious charges against deaf because they cant find interpreters?

Richard

 

[Cousin Vinny]

Are we seeing a new trend that California courts are ending up dropping serious charges against deaf because they cant find interpreters?

Well, I hope not. I do know that the L.A. criminal courts have their own staff of ASL interpreters, but that was a few years ago. If there is indeed an interpreter shortage, the courts have all the equipment necessary for VRI access, so I don't think this is a problem that can't be easily overcome.

 

[Mookie]

Well, I hope not. I do know that the L.A. criminal courts have their own staff of ASL interpreters, but that was a few years ago. If there is indeed an interpreter shortage, the courts have all the equipment necessary for VRI access, so I don't think this is a problem that can't be easily overcome.

Not many police stations are not aware of VRI....

 

[Nesmuth]

Well, I hope not. I do know that the L.A. criminal courts have their own staff of ASL interpreters, but that was a few years ago. If there is indeed an interpreter shortage, the courts have all the equipment necessary for VRI access, so I don't think this is a problem that can't be easily overcome.

I was at the Mikey Marts vs Scott Johnson trial last year and the terps there seemed to be deeply in the grips of the VRS industry. I even saw a long and lively discussion between the judge and the 2 terps who wanted to be excused for the afternoon so they can go to their VRS jobs.

Richard