Wondering about court interpreting....

[dereksbicycles]

I remember few years ago, I was called to court for jury duty. I went to court and had interpreter. I waited. I was told that I did not have to perform actual jury duty. I was not needed. I was excused.

I'm grateful that I had interpreter and did not have to do actual jury duty, but I wonder. I mean court interpreter makes good money, or am I wrong? Do they make good money waiting with a deaf person just to let them know they're excused and do not need to do jury duty? I understand being well paid and being compensated quite well to do court interpreting in court. Just thinking it's kind of weird that a interpreter would be paid well just to let me know I am not needed for jury duty?

Not that I would do court interpreting, but I would think others that may want to do court interpreting would want to know?

 

[Reba]

Court interpreting pay is higher because it requires more specialized training and certifications. It usually also requires more travel, which also must be compensated.

Most interpreting assignments require a minimum fee, so whether the assignment runs the whole time or finishes early doesn't matter for pay purposes.

Many times jurors don't know whether or not they'll be needed, and if needed, for how long, so the interpreter needs to be available for the entire time possible.

The interpreter has to be paid even when assignments are cancelled because the interpreter, in good faith, set aside that block of time for that client. Depending on when the cancellation is made, it's usually too late to find another assignment to fill that block of time.

 

[CrazyPaul]

Court interpreting pay is higher because it requires more specialized training and certifications. It usually also requires more travel, which also must be compensated.

Most interpreting assignments require a minimum fee, so whether the assignment runs the whole time or finishes early doesn't matter for pay purposes.

Many times jurors don't know whether or not they'll be needed, and if needed, for how long, so the interpreter needs to be available for the entire time possible.

The interpreter has to be paid even when assignments are cancelled because the interpreter, in good faith, set aside that block of time for that client. Depending on when the cancellation is made, it's usually too late to find another assignment to fill that block of time.

I think some terps have a contract with the courts so that means they only work for the courts daily. What about fixed rates?

 

[Reba]

I think some terps have a contract with the courts so that means they only work for the courts daily. What about fixed rates?

I don't know. I don't work for the courts. I imagine it depends on the court district. Each one is set up differently.

 

[DeafBadger]

Interesting. I've always assumed that I would not be able to serve on a jury because of my deafness. In fact, I recently got a jury summons and was excused because of it.

 

[CrazyPaul]

Interesting. I've always assumed that I would not be able to serve on a jury because of my deafness. In fact, I recently got a jury summons and was excused because of it.

You are one lucky SOB. In my county, since there are interpreters available, they no longer excuse us unless we have financial hardship or child care.

 

[ecp]

I remember few years ago, I was called to court for jury duty. I went to court and had interpreter. I waited. I was told that I did not have to perform actual jury duty. I was not needed. I was excused.

I was called for jury duty this spring. I tried to get the necessary accomodations but was told to wait to see if I was selected for a jury.
So, I arrived to a room of 500 people and apparently they were taking roll. I told the person next to me that I am deaf and told them my name. They nudged me when my name was called.

After a day of waiting I was called into a courtroom for a trial with about 20 other potential jurors. The lady who was next to me asked about my hearing aids while we waited an hour for the judge to show up. She was a retired teacher who had experience with deaf students.
Anyway, the judge showed up and we were sworn in and then they said stuff about ability to hear. Obviously I didn't hear this but the lady next to me raised her hand and told them I am deaf.
So I was called to the judge's bench (which was AWKWARD because I was supposed to use one enterance but I didn't hear the directions an used the wrong way) where he questioned me about whether I was actually deaf (but his hand was in front of his mouth so I couldn't understand him). When I asked him to repeat himself he dismissed me. I told him that I am willing to serve as a juror provided the accomodations I am guaranteed under federal law. He pointed to the door so I left.

I know some shady not at all ADA compliant stuff happened but I was in the middle of moving to a different state. Also, I thought I could "get by" with my tiny bit of hearing. I was wrong.
I really would have been happy to be a juror if I was provided an interpreter or CARTprovider. I definitely told the defense lawyer on my way out "I have a graduate degree...I'm not an idiot" because I felt so humiliated.

Anyway, if I am ever called to jury duty again I will not try to "wing it" and I will request an interpreter or captionist from the beginning. But if I am told that they don't need me then I will raise hell (provided I'm not moving to a different state a week later which is the situation this time).

 

[ecp]

Interesting. I've always assumed that I would not be able to serve on a jury because of my deafness. In fact, I recently got a jury summons and was excused because of it.

I know everybody dreads jury duty but think about it this way: there are 12 people who decide your fate. They are supposed to be your peers. If you are Deaf and they are all hearing are they your peers? If you are called to be a juror for a hearing person are you also not a peer of the hearing person?

Being on a jury is a chore BUT being dismissed simply because we are deaf or hard of hearing is discrimination. It means the lawyers simply don't want to put in the time or minimal effort required to abide by federal laws. That is messed up.
Though we may not want to serve on a jury, jury duty is part of being a citizen in a democracy. It is all kinds of wrong to be told you are excused from jury duty because you are deaf or hard of hearing.
That means we are not full citizens. It means that hearing people can't be bothered to arrange an interpreter for a few days. That they can't be bothered to see us as educated individuals.

 

[DeafBadger]

I know everybody dreads jury duty but think about it this way: there are 12 people who decide your fate. They are supposed to be your peers. If you are Deaf and they are all hearing are they your peers? If you are called to be a juror for a hearing person are you also not a peer of the hearing person?

Being on a jury is a chore BUT being dismissed simply because we are deaf or hard of hearing is discrimination. It means the lawyers simply don't want to put in the time or minimal effort required to abide by federal laws. That is messed up.
Though we may not want to serve on a jury, jury duty is part of being a citizen in a democracy. It is all kinds of wrong to be told you are excused from jury duty because you are deaf or hard of hearing.
That means we are not full citizens. It means that hearing people can't be bothered to arrange an interpreter for a few days. That they can't be bothered to see us as educated individuals.

I completely agree with you, and they should have let you be a juror.

I know someone who is deaf that wants to be on the jury the next time he is summoned. He'll try to have an interpreter. I have no idea how the court will respond to him. I hope he gets what he wants.

If one were to sue over this... who would one sue?? The judge? The state gov?

 

[CrazyPaul]

I completely agree with you, and they should have let you be a juror.

I know someone who is deaf that wants to be on the jury the next time he is summoned. He'll try to have an interpreter. I have no idea how the court will respond to him. I hope he gets what he wants.

If one were to sue over this... who would one sue?? The judge? The state gov?

In my county, there is an office for the disability that works for the courts. Its job is to schedule an interpreter service for deaf jurors. All courts in USA are required to provide interpreters under Section 504 law. If a court refuses to provide one, a deaf citzen can file a complaint/lawsuit to a higher court.

 

[dereksbicycles]

I had interpreter ready when I showed up. I cannot remember if it was my parents who called and asked for interpreter or if they knew already that I was deaf. I would think if they summoned someone for jury duty, they would know already whether the person was deaf or blind.

 

[dereksbicycles]

Hello friends i am yogesh tyagi and i really want to tell you that interpreter always paly a important role whether it for a deaf person or in any other field because Interpreter fill the gap between two parties who are not communicate with each other for any reason.Interpreter always important because japnese not know hindi.what do you think ?

What the f----k does that have to do with court interpreting. Wrong thread!!!

 

[diehardbiker]

I would love to server as a juror in court with somebody accusing as a murderer.

I know it sounded crazy, but I was so curious to the fact why they took over one's life. I don't see any value in taking somebody's life. The only time I see value in taking somebody's life is when other person is threatening to do harm physically including death. For example if somebody had knife in his hand and threatening to throw it at me or my relatives or friends, I would shoot and kill. That is the only time that my shooting would be justified. BUT, if that same person don't have knife, or anything to threat me and steals from me, then it is not justifiable for me to kill them no matter what.

There are a case where I still can't see why this SOB killed 4 people after that SOB got fired for sexual harassment. How his killing victim is going to benefit him? Its Valentine day massacre, thank god this SOB is serving life sentence without possibility of parole.

 

[diehardbiker]

That person may be spammer, looking for suckers, ignore him. (Hint: look how many posts he made)

What the f----k does that have to do with court interpreting. Wrong thread!!!

 

[CrazyPaul]

I had interpreter ready when I showed up. I cannot remember if it was my parents who called and asked for interpreter or if they knew already that I was deaf. I would think if they summoned someone for jury duty, they would know already whether the person was deaf or blind.

They don't know that you are deaf unless you let them know.