Judge: Prove You Can't Speak English

WSBTV ^ | 10/10/2004

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

CONYERS - A Rockdale County judge is frustrated with the high cost of interpeters and says he will start requiring proof that defendants cannot speak English.

He says some people are pretending not to be fluent just to delay criminal proceedings.

Sidney Nation, a Rockdale County Superior Court judge, says he will start having formal hearings on the need for an interpeter because his public defenders' office has exceeded its $2,500 budget for interpeters.

A case in August involving Vietnamese defendants required four interpeters in the courtroom during the plea proceedings, two of which were paid for by the state. Nation ultimately determined that three of the individuals could speak English. Two had actually graduated from American high schools.

Nation said non-English speaking defendants, especially those who are in the country illegally, have become a "crushing problem" for the courts.

[Prime Choice]

Nation said non-English speaking defendants, especially those who are in the country illegally, have become a "crushing problem" for the courts.

...but-but-but they're only breaking the laws that Americans don't want to break!

[gubamyster]

PING

[graycamel]

Me no speek Ing-grish

[dr_who_2]

If they're lying, draw up charges for that as well.

[mhking]

Three cheers for this judge!

Just damn.

If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[kevao]

Judge: Prove You Can't Speak English

¿Qué?

[msp2004]

Here Here!!

[Iscool]

One way to save a bunch of money...Have the interpreters determine what language they are speaking, and send them there, at their own expense, of course...

[Dante3]

Far too many immigrants, both legal and illegal, have an enormous sense of entitlement. They refuse to learn the language, expecting others to learn their language. More and more in stores I hear employees right in front of me speak some foreign language even though they know English --how rude.

[brianl703]

The message has been sent:

We don't expect you to obey any of our laws.

There will be no consequences for failure to obey our laws.

[dagnabbit]

Polyglot thirdworld chaos - the ClintonBushKerry administration's dream come true!

[blackdog]

Not exactly the sharpest tool in the judge shed is he?

[tractorman]

I-ay an’t-ca eak-spay nglish-eay.

[Billthedrill]

Leave them in a room with a ticking bomb and a sign that says, in English, "Bomb Will Blow Up In Sixty Seconds." If they're still there when it blows up, they were innocent and you owe them a darn good apology.

Why they don't put a smart guy like me in charge of this stuff I just don't know.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Have the interpreters determine what language they are speaking, and send them there, at their own expense, of course...

Good idea. But...if said miscreant is speaking Portugese, he/she should be sent to Portugal?

Or if he/she is speaking Spanish, then he/she should be sent to Spain?

[blackdog]

Note to self........

One very good reason to become proefficient in ancient dead languages!

[killjoy]

Another example of a judge out of control. Just charge the people with perjury. QED.

[Americanwolf]

Good answer!

Here is another good question too!

If I went outside the US and was arrested in another country. Would I get an interpreter in their court, and if so would it be at my cost or the country where I was arrested cost?