Criminal Defense of Immigrants

Accurately interpreting from another language to English, and back, in a criminal cases presents enormous challenges.  Legal English is very difficult at best, both in vocabulary and syntax.  There are many players in the courtroom, sometimes with more than one speaking at once, and juggling two languages in this complex setting is extremely difficult.  If the client speaks English as a second language, but not well enough to understand exactly what is going on, it may sometimes be even worse than not understanding English at all.  Interpreting is not an exact science.  “Interpreters, no matter how bilingual and bicultural, must constantly weigh choices in search of the best ways to convey shades of meaning and speaker intent.  A defense attorney must be aware of the task faced by an interpreter and participate in maximizing the accuracy of the interpre­tation.”[11]

[11] Kay, Ramirez & Hill, Using Interpreters, in Cultural Issues in Criminal Defense 2-1 J. Connell & R. Valladares, eds., Juris Publishing, 2000).