Posted on 01/31/2008 8:17:28 AM PST by stan_sipple
A project to translate Nebraska court documents into foreign languages has caught the attention — and criticism — of a Lincoln man.
Andy Ringsmuth wants the Nebraska Minority Committee to stop translating civil and self-represented litigant forms into Spanish, Vietnamese and Arabic.
“It’s pretty clear in our state constitution that English is the official language of the state,” he said.
Ringsmuth cited the following passage in the Nebraska constitution: “The English language is hereby declared to be the official language of this state, and all official proceedings, records and publication shall be in such language...”
But Liz Neeley, the project director, doesn’t think she’s breaking the law and plans to have such documents as simple divorce forms and requests for child support translated by 2009.
“I was operating under the fact that this is constitutional,” she said.
The Woods Charitable Fund donated $25,000 to the project.
If Ringsmuth presses the issue, it could end up in a courtroom, which is why judicial officials declined to comment.
Janet Bancroft, administrator for the Nebraska Supreme Court, said it would be unethical for anyone connected to the court to comment.
And Lancaster County District Court Judge Steven Burns said he couldn’t talk about it because the issue could potentially end up in his courtroom.
Last week, Chief Justice Michael Heavican supported the committee’s efforts to translate the documents.
Addressing the Legislature on Friday, he told lawmakers:
“The practical importance of bilingual forms cannot be overstated. Noncompliance with court terms can result in detention, loss of child custody or other consequences.”
Riko Bishop, a Lincoln attorney and co-chairperson of a subcommittee to the Minority Justice Committee, said state law allows the project.
“…the constitutional rights of persons unable to communicate (in) the English language cannot be fully protected unless interpreters are available to assist such persons in legal proceedings...”
And Michael Kelly, a law professor at Creighton University, said he believes the translation project is constitutional because it is privately funded and the documents are still available in English.
Ringsmuth, who ran for Congress in 2004, said he understands the reasoning behind translating the documents.
“... and not to sound harsh, but I believe if you choose to live here you should learn the language,” he said.
He sent an e-mail to the attorney general’s office last week, asking for its opinion on the constitutionality issue.
A spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office told the Journal Star this week she would look into the issue.
Ringsmuth is not sure if he will take the project to court. He’s waiting to hear the attorney general’s answer.
“I’ve never done anything like that so I wouldn’t know where to begin,” he said
From the link...
YES NO 8. Can you read, speak, and understand the English language? If “NO,” what is your primary language? ________________________________
I just got one from NYS. It just wanted to know if I could understand and communicate in English.
They should have the forms in two languages—English and Latin. Those who speak another language would then be encouraged to learn Latin. It would be good for them—and create jobs for Latin teachers.
they keep telling me we need a universal language, why not?
to make everyone feel welcome, we will have to allow everyone on juries regardless of language, and the cost for the translators will be on the taxpayers’ dime.
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