You are being "very uncooperative!"

rockin'robin

rockin'robin

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A deaf lady that I met and didn't know very well....msgd. me that she needed me immediately.....She had come down from a very small town to stay with her Cousin for awhile until she could get on her feet and a place to live....She is 64....

I was sick when she msgd. me with a bad chest cold....but drove over to find out what was wrong...She had been physically abused by her Cousin and 2 police offices were there....Her Cousin had ran off and they could not find her....

I tried to help and interpret for her, but I told the Officers they needed to call an Intrepretor...as some of what they were saying I didn't understand and the Officers were reluctant to write it down.....:roll:....One Officer said No, they didn't have to do that...so I told him..."we both are deaf...I'm just here for support...and she needs an Intrepretor since she has no speech."

2 Police cars were there, then the Ambulance and ENT's showed up.....then a friend (who is hearing came over)...and that's when the Police told her that I was very uncooperative....The friend told the Police that I, too, was deaf....and an Intrepreter was needed!.....(They still did not call for one)...

My friend went on to the hospital to get checked out...I think she will be OK....they did call for an Intrepretor at the hospital.

So I did try my best to interpret for my friend....and as for myself being uncooperative?....Made me upset...and it seemed as if the Police thought that since I had speech, I understood everything they were saying.....but I am totally deaf.

Even my friend had trouble writing down what had happened to her and asked me "how to say that"....I tried to help, but the Officer said..."You can't do that...she has to write it down herself."
 
I'm very sorry that you had to go thru that stressful situation.

The truth is, you probably were too cooperative and the police took advantage of that. I know that you did what you could, and I'm not going to second guess whatever you said or did. I'm just going to mention a few general guidelines for anyone caught in this situation.

If you are not a certified interpreter make it clear to the authorities that you are a signer, not a qualified interpreter. Explain to them that you cannot ethically or legally interpret a legal or medical situation.

Don't get into the interpreter mode. Don't use first person responses. Keep it to the "he said that". (It's the opposite of what an interpreter would do.)

Think of what you're doing as being like a first-aid Good Samaritan compared to a trained first-responder EMT. Yes, you can help but only until the professionals arrive. Then you step aside.

Note writing, especially when someone is upset, is not an acceptable substitute for interpreting.

I know that sometimes it's almost impossible to get the authorities to cooperate and do what they're supposed to do to get interpreters on scene, or at least make arrangements to have an interpreter waiting at the hospital or police headquarters when the deaf victim/patient arrives there.

The police were very unreasonable in saying you were uncooperative. For one thing, you weren't a witness, victim, public safety professional, person of interest, or suspect. They should have been grateful that you were there at all.
 
:( seems very upsetting for you and your friend, RR - am sorry that happened!

best wishes for your friend's situation, too.

:hug:
 
She msgd. me early this AM...saying she got out of the hospital around 1:30AM....and the police came back over there at 2AM...the Cousin was not there again...seems they are in the process of getting a Warrant for her arrest....

I had told my friend that she could spend the night with me and get a Police escort to be able to get all her things out of there...as she said she was going back to her home town....But she went back over there and put a chair under her door knob to keep her Cousin out in case she came back...

I told her what the Police had said...and she said she was going to file a discrimination suite....??...Oh well...good luck with that!

JSO (Jacksonville Sheriff's Office) has had many discrimination suits against them from the deaf.....

It is or "was" my understanding that when there is a Deaf victim who cannot communicate orally...an Intrepretor is required....as I told the Officers that....and that I was there for emotional support only.....not an Intrepretor.
 
rockin'robin said:
. . .
It is or "was" my understanding that when there is a Deaf victim who cannot communicate orally...an Intrepretor is required....as I told the Officers that....and that I was there for emotional support only.....not an Intrepretor.
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It depends on the circumstances and how much interaction is required. There is no general rule that covers everything. That's one of the problems; it depends on the LEO's judgment as to when to call for a terp. The deaf person can't simply demand one.

If the Miranda Rights are involved it's a necessity, and they usually video record both the interpreter and the deaf person to document it.
 
WOW ! Unbelievable ! I was told anything a deaf person said to a police can't be used as evidence unless there was an ASL interpreter there . There can be a lot misunderstanding and the deaf could say something that will incriminate their self.

I would think the police would be thanking RR to trying to help when was she so sick . You should report this a news reporters maybe that will get the police to stop violating our rights !
That was very insane that your friend went back to her cousin's house and trying to lock her out her own home.
 
Robin, I wanna giving you a big hug. Your situation sucks. I thought of the ADA. Here is what I found (I know its the internet, so it may or may not be correct). I do not know if this applies to your situation or not, but here goes:

What Situations Require an Interpreter?
Generally, interpreter services are not required for simple transactions – such as checking a license or giving directions to a location – or for urgent situations – such as responding to a violent crime in progress.
Example: An officer clocks a car on the highway going 15 miles per hour above the speed limit. The driver, who is deaf, is pulled over and is issued a noncriminal citation. The individual is able to understand the reason for the citation because the officer points out relevant information printed on the citation or written by the officer.

Example: An officer responds to an aggravated battery call and upon arriving at the scene observes a bleeding victim and an individual holding a weapon. Eyewitnesses observed the individual strike the victim. The individual with the weapon is deaf. Because the officer has probable cause to make a felony arrest without an interrogation, an interpreter is not necessary to carry out the arrest.
​
However, an interpreter may be needed in lengthy or complex transactions – such as interviewing a victim, witness, suspect, or arrestee – if the person being interviewed normally relies on sign language or speech reading to understand what others are saying.
Example: An officer responds to the scene of a domestic disturbance. The husband says the wife has been beating their children and he has been trying to restrain her. The wife is deaf. The officer begins questioning her by writing notes, but her response indicates a lack of comprehension. She requests a sign language interpreter. In this situation an interpreter should be called. If the woman’s behavior is threatening, the officer can make an arrest and call for an interpreter to be available later at the booking station.
​
It is inappropriate to ask a family member or companion to interpret in a situation like this because emotional ties may interfere with the ability to interpret impartially.
Example: An officer responds to the scene of a car accident where a man has been seriously injured. The man is conscious, but is unable to comprehend the officer’s questions because he is deaf. A family member who is present begins interpreting what the officer is saying.
​
A family member or companion may be used to interpret in a case like this, where the parties are willing, the need for information is urgent, and the questions are basic and uncomplicated. However, in general, do not expect or demand that a deaf person provide his or her own interpreter. As a rule, when interpreter service is needed, it must be provided by the agency.


source: http://www.ada.gov/lawenfcomm.htm
 
Robin said: JSO (Jacksonville Sheriff's Office) has had many discrimination suits against them from the deaf..... You all can file a complaint with the ADA.
 
Cappy said:
Robin said: JSO (Jacksonville Sheriff's Office) has had many discrimination suits against them from the deaf..... You all can file a complaint with the ADA.
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So have you started your complaint with the ADA yet?
 
whatdidyousay! said:
So have you started your complaint with the ADA yet?
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I'm not sure that a person from another state can file a complaint with the ADA for a police department in another state??

If I filed a complaint against the Jacksonville PD, I doubt it will hold a lot of water because I don't have all the information-

http://www.ada.gov/filing_complaint.htm

2. What information should my ADA complaint include?

Provide the following information:

  1. Your full name, address, the telephone numbers where we can reach you during the day and evening, and the name of the party discriminated against (if known);
  2. The name and address of the business, organization, institution, or person that you believe has committed the discrimination;
  3. A brief description of the acts of discrimination, the dates they occurred, and the names of individuals involved;
  4. Other information you believe necessary to support your complaint, including copies (not originals) of relevant documents; and
  5. Information about how to communicate with you effectively.
    Please let us know if you want written communications in a specific format (e.g., large print, Braille, electronic documents) or require communications by video phone or TTY.
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DeafDucky said:
she seems to be asking you as she quoted you.

Odd since it's Robin with the issue not Cappy....
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On the off chance that she is asking me, no I did not report it to the ADA since I do not have any issues with my local law enforcement agancies. Hence, I have no case.
 
I don't think she has had the time yet to file....it just happened...and she did come back over early evening, asking me where the Police Station (Substation) was in the area....since she does not know the City at all...)she is from another town and the Country).....

She was very "flushed" (her face) as if she had been in the Sun...but no. it was from packing up everything quickly and getting them into he car while having a Police escort....

After going to the Substation, then she was headed back to her home town, 4 hours away...I felt really bad for her after all the trauma she's been thru and her age (64)....Soon as I hear more, then I will know more....
 
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