Re: “Local courts faced with high costs of interpreters”
In this stale economy where having a job and holding on to a job is of outmost importance, not only for self preservations but to avoid being one more unemployeed person drawing from unemployment. It is a bit surprising that the writer of this article instead of prising the demanding job of the court interpreter, is pretending to make it sound superfluous, unnecessary and expensive.

To commence my answer with the most important issue, interpreters are as important and necessary as would be the judge, the prosecutor or the attorney. Without them, there would no be ANY possible communication, and for the information of the public at large and the writer of this article, there is such a thing as Constitutional Rights with are included in Title V and Title VI among others, in which clearly it is detailed that every person, poor, undocumented, black, white or in between must be given the RIGHT to participate and understand the accusation or case presented against her/him. If they don't speak the English language, they must be given an interpreter; the same, they must be given an attorney to defend them, and the posibility to present the case in front of a judge, and therefore the rights to use the court system. In either case, we the tax payers and the Government pay for it. This is the cost of justice, and it includes everybody - even undocumented persons.

For your information, interpreters are highly educated and trained individuals, in two languages and two cultures; they not only pay their taxes, but in addition they pay the annual licensing fees and continuing education to a Government agency. Those people had gone through the long and expensive process of registration and certification and incurred years of education and costs to get there, just as attorneys and other educated people had to pay for their education, training and licensing. The minimum fee should be at least $50 per hour, although I believe it is less. As anyone who has been in court knows, there are preocesses that take maybe 30 minutes - others 3 hours, but the same the interpreter must be there early and cannot leave until dismissed by the judge. Obviously their whole day is spent in one or two appointments. Interpreters, like any other professional must pay for their expenses, mortgages, utilities, parking fees and other expenses. Charging mileae at a lower or near rate paid to other Government workers seems fair.

If you or anyone else needs further clarification about the role, responsibilities, education and purpose of interpreters, please feel free to contact me at your convenience. I am the former Director of the Commission on Interpreters of the Georgia Supreme Court, and I'll be happy to help and respond to any question on the subject. Cristina Franco FrancoCourts@aol.com
Posted by Your Name Here on July 31, 2010 at 2:48 PM
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In this stale economy where having a job and holding on to a job is of outmost importance, not only for self preservations but to avoid being one more unemployeed person drawing from unemployment. It is a bit surprising that the writer of this article instead of prising the demanding job of the court interpreter, is pretending to make it sound superfluous, unnecessary and expensive.

To commence my answer with the most important issue, interpreters are as important and necessary as would be the judge, the prosecutor or the attorney. Without them, there would no be ANY possible communication, and for the information of the public at large and the writer of this article, there is such a thing as Constitutional Rights with are included in Title V and Title VI among others, in which clearly it is detailed that every person, poor, undocumented, black, white or in between must be given the RIGHT to participate and understand the accusation or case presented against her/him. If they don't speak the English language, they must be given an interpreter; the same, they must be given an attorney to defend them, and the posibility to present the case in front of a judge, and therefore the rights to use the court system. In either case, we the tax payers and the Government pay for it. This is the cost of justice, and it includes everybody - even undocumented persons.

For your information, interpreters are highly educated and trained individuals, in two languages and two cultures; they not only pay their taxes, but in addition they pay the annual licensing fees and continuing education to a Government agency. Those people had gone through the long and expensive process of registration and certification and incurred years of education and costs to get there, just as attorneys and other educated people had to pay for their education, training and licensing. The minimum fee should be at least $50 per hour, although I believe it is less. As anyone who has been in court knows, there are preocesses that take maybe 30 minutes - others 3 hours, but the same the interpreter must be there early and cannot leave until dismissed by the judge. Obviously their whole day is spent in one or two appointments. Interpreters, like any other professional must pay for their expenses, mortgages, utilities, parking fees and other expenses. Charging mileae at a lower or near rate paid to other Government workers seems fair.

If you or anyone else needs further clarification about the role, responsibilities, education and purpose of interpreters, please feel free to contact me at your convenience. I am the former Director of the Commission on Interpreters of the Georgia Supreme Court, and I'll be happy to help and respond to any question on the subject. Cristina Franco FrancoCourts@aol.com

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The poor, fame lacking, “reporter” needs to sell stories, and her name, by flashing eye catching headlines. Remember that in some instances bad reporting is good PR for some “journalists” who feel the need to get noticed. Playing to the audience’s delight is what we call “regalándoles los oídos a los sordos”. What balanced reader is going to take this article on face value? Bad publicity? Misinformed public? The way I see it, it’s just another chance for us to educate the poor souls. As Cristina acknowledged, hopefully It’ll be a while before civil rights get trampled in an established judicial setting. In any case, thanks, for forwarding your comment, Cristina. Always good to read from you (yes, Cristina without the "H". We're Latino! Get used to it).
service@a2zinterpreters.com

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