County approves interpreters for traffic court

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County approves interpreters for traffic court

Posted by

Zach Mitcham

in Top Stories

Wednesday, February 2. 2011

Comments (16)

Madison County Probate Judge Cody Cross says he has never held traffic court without at least one defendant not understanding English.

“We average about 10 defendants who can’t speak English on a court date,” said Cross. “Sometimes more, sometimes less … Every court date there has always been a non-English speaking person there.”

The judge says the court averages about 150 cases during monthly hearings.

Cross said the Department of Justice is auditing court systems to make sure they have interpreters on hand to keep defendants informed about the proceedings. The judge said the county could be in trouble if the federal government catches courts without required interpreters.

“I would hate to speculate,” said Cross. “We could be in trouble if we get caught without an interpreter.”

Months ago, Cross appeared before commissioners to request the hiring of a traffic court prosecutor and public defender once a month. Those positions are funded with fines assessed on defendants in traffic court. The interpreter’s position will also be covered with fines from the traffic court. But non-English speakers won’t be charged extra for an interpreter.

“We can take this out of the prosecution/defense fee,” said Cross. “We can’t impose a fee on the non-English speaking people (for an interpreter).”

Cross said there are three certified intepreters in Athens whose service averages about $45 an hour. He said he plans to take about two hours each traffic court date dealing with non-English speaking defendants first with an interpreter present. Cross also said he plans to coordinate the use of an interpreter with the magistrate court, which also needs the service.

The board unanimously approved the hiring of court interpreters on a monthly basis.

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#1 Mary on 02/02/11 at 05:11 AM [Reply]

Is this ever going to stop? If you are going to live here, learn the language. You wouldn't see other countries hiring $45 an hour interpreters. Put the burden on them, not us the taxpayers!

#2 Anonymous on 02/02/11 at 11:35 AM [Reply]

They understand English when they want to..

#2.1 E.J. on 02/04/11 at 06:26 PM [Reply]

Yes, this annoying manipulation is quite infuriating.

#3 GK on 02/02/11 at 05:24 PM [Reply]

I can't believe that we (native born tax payers) are having to pay for an interpreter @ 45 dollars an hour. I'm assuming it's to speak Spanish. Let the illegals hire their own Spanish speaking lawyer. While we're at it, why don't we just hire one for every language in the world so we're not discriminating against all the other races. I think the money should be used to ship the illegals back! Americans speak English! If they can't speak English, they are guilty till proven innocent in my law book!

#3.1 Anonymous on 02/03/11 at 11:34 AM [Reply]

Your paragraph contains numerous grammatical errors. Like the people whom you critique you also have no command of the English language. By the standard you have given you are guilty until proven innocent. We do not need to have a trial, however, to prove you are ignorant. Your ignorance is on display for all to see.

#3.1.1 E.J. on 02/04/11 at 06:20 PM [Reply]

Hey, there's punctuation, proper capitalization and no misspelled words. I'm fine with GK's command of our language on this informal venue. I am also in complete agreement with the sentiments. I have great respect for all cultures and like to see them mix. However, human communication is difficult enough with a single language; no society needs to have more than one language with which to operate unless every last person in it speaks, writes and understands both languages (or however many languages you want; all should use all or all should use one).

#3.1.2 CommaCommaCommaCommaCommaChameleon on 02/04/11 at 07:22 PM [Reply]

One word for you Anonymous. . . . punc·tu·a·tion.

You get a C-, but only because you finally remembered your commas on the next-to-last sentence. Try harder next time.

Were you out with chicken pox on comma day?

#3.1.2.1 Anonymous on 02/07/11 at 12:07 AM [Reply]

You are wrong. Like so many others you put commas where the commas should not be. My paragraph above is correct in grammar and in punctuation.

Do not put commas where they do not belong! This has been your lesson for today. Study harder for your next exam.

#3.1.2.1.1 NoCommaCommaCommaCommaCommaChameleon on 02/07/11 at 10:32 AM [Reply]

Since you obviously know what you are talking about due to your vast writing experience I have no choice but to defer to your superior knowledge of grammar and punctuation.

Wow thanks you taught me a lot!!!!

#3.1.3 GK on 02/11/11 at 07:53 PM [Reply]

I no ma gramer aint purfec, but i got somtin tat is. And amurican burth sirtificat! An fur the law tat seys yuo gotta hav a nturpiter, tats just mor tax on us. the law shud makum pay for there on lawer and ther on bus ticket bac. an any babies they pop out kned to go two. ma gues is yuo thee nturpiter.

#3.2 TM on 02/04/11 at 10:51 PM [Reply]

In case you don't know, an interpreter is someone who knows many languages. All because you speak a language doesn't mean you can interpret it. English may be the main language of America, but it not the only one.
And for the comment about taxpayers paying for this service...re-read the article. "The interpreter’s position will also be covered with fines from the traffic court." I believe this is an extra $100 fine from DUI's and other cases. So the criminals are those who pay for the interpreter. So stay out of trouble, and you won't have to worry about it.

#4 Ben Had on 02/05/11 at 07:06 AM [Reply]

Are these non english speaking people checked for immigration staus? Looks like we(Georgia residents) will be able to make sure they are if House bill 87 passes.

The following was taken from another article in the MCJ by turncoat rep Alan Powell;
"HB 87 would also provide Georgia residents an ability to sue a police force or other government agency in Superior Court if they believe the agency is not enforcing the immigration law".

I believe if this tough on illegals bill passes we will have less need for interpreters.

#5 Anonymous on 02/06/11 at 08:44 AM [Reply]

The interpreters are necessary. If they dont have one, then they can turn around and file a suit....would rather just pay the interpreter. In any case, i do hate that our country has come to be full of illegals, and yes mostly mexicans. It does make me mad when i go to the ATM and the screen reads "press here for english", but it does not say "press here for spanish". Is the primary language of first citizens spanish? But i cant help but wonder, Is this how the indians felt when all the white people came.

#6 ron faust(not anonymous) on 02/07/11 at 08:39 PM [Reply]

Well.As to any grammatical or punctuational deficiencies in these posts...I am pretty sure the points came through quite effectively.I assume it is because it was written using english words and read by people that understand english words.You can write the same thing correctly in spanish and most of us will still fail to be able to read it.I hold a minor political position in a small city and let me tell you what i have learned.What we see as citizens is usually a VERY small section of the relevent information.There are many,many things to consider when making these decisions.The right thing to do when trying to find out if we are being treated fairly is to study the information they used to form thier opinions.I have found that often,the obvious answer is the wrong answer.I didn't like finding that little tid-bit out,but it is a fact of life.Everyone needs to be careful not to jump to a quick decision with out having the benefit of the relevent facts.I still do so at times but i am very much more open to being informed of my attitude now.

#6.1 MC on 02/08/11 at 08:20 AM [Reply]

Glad your not anonymous by the way. Problem with MC is that a vocal view and some say a good old friend system occurs from time to time where things get overlooked. Did MC not have a prior BOC that had a small acrage parcel in a tax break land ag designation. My question here would be if I am recalling right how did BOA let this happen ? I think no level playing field and no respect. I still feel Sam Bruce Rd penalizes the majority in MC because some just stayed on getting it done. It made Pethel win last election and most feel done this way to help him get elected. This not level playing field. So this is why many many suscpicous of Govt.

#7 Brad brown on 02/09/11 at 03:35 AM [Reply]

They can speak English just fine. Don't believe me? Try shorting them a dollar. Suddenly, they will speak better than you or I.

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