Attorneys working with translators must watch over defendant rights

Article Abstract:

Attorneys representing individuals who are not native speakers of English must be careful to select a highly qualified interpreter. For criminal proceedings, the interpreter should not only be fluent in English but also have experience working in the criminal courts. The interpreter must respect the attorney-client privilege and understand that the job is to interpret, not to give legal advice. Deciding whether to use an interpreter can be difficult when the client speaks some English as the interpreter's presence could prejudice the jury.

Usage, Criminal justice, Administration of, Administration of criminal justice

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Excluding bilingual jurors may be racist

Article Abstract:

Permitting peremptory strikes of potential jurors based on their bilingualism but not their ethnicity ignores the close correlation between the two and encourages poor translation in the courtroom. Lawyers arguing that jurors who understand both the original testimony and the translation might not hew to the latter, are saying jurors will freely violate their oaths. Courts should not permit bilingualism to count against potential jurors, and should instruct them to bring apparent discrepancies in translation to the court's attention.

United States, Cases, Discrimination in criminal justice administration, Criminal justice discrimination, Bilingualism, Peremptory challenges

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False logic misdirects the U.S. war on drugs

Article Abstract:

The drug war is a failure because government has not recognized that drug traffic is demand-driven. Government must address the drug problem in a pro-active way through education of young children and rehabilitation and reintegration into society of adults already addicted. Blaming source countries for the US drug problem rather than getting our own house in order is misguided. These countries' assault on the problem from the supply end has caused economic hardship and anti-American feelings.

Narcotics, Control of, Narcotics control, Drug traffic

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