Thread: FL:Local immigration drives the demand for court translators

Courts make heavy use of translators
Local immigration drives the demand

By PAT GILLESPIE
pgillespie@news-press.com
Originally posted on July 30, 2007

Cornelio Mendez struggled to understand the theft charge he faced in Lee County Circuit Court on Tuesday.

Mendez, a Mexican immigrant who’s been in the United States for a little more than a year, wanted to tell the judge the incident that led to his court appearance — changing the price tag on children’s clothes at a department store — was a misunderstanding.

At his side throughout the proceeding was an interpreter who relayed information in Spanish to Mendez. Without the translator and the Spanish-language documents the court provided for Mendez, he wouldn’t have understood the proceedings.

“They gave me all the help I needed, even an attorney who speaks Spanish,â€

At his side throughout the proceeding was an interpreter who relayed information in Spanish to Mendez. Without the translator and the Spanish-language documents the court provided for Mendez, he wouldn’t have understood the proceedings.

These illegals, or legal citizens for that matter, that can't speak English should be responsible for paying for the interpreters salaries. After all if it weren't for their not learning the language of our country we wouldn't need interpreters

Originally Posted by avenger

At his side throughout the proceeding was an interpreter who relayed information in Spanish to Mendez. Without the translator and the Spanish-language documents the court provided for Mendez, he wouldn’t have understood the proceedings.

These illegals, or legal citizens for that matter, that can't speak English should be responsible for paying for the interpreters salaries. After all if it weren't for their not learning the language of our country we wouldn't need interpreters

We are on the same wave length, Avenger.

The circuit has spent almost $600,000 on interpreters this fiscal year.

If an entry-level employee, with benefits, costs $50,000 per year (my estimate) the amount spent on interpreters would have provided funds for 12 additional employees.

Looks like SW Florida will become a sanctuary area........so sad.I think our local government is still naive about this situation,hopefully they will start taking Collier counties approach soon.They have started getting tough with illegals.

AND if you think it is bad in the courts, you should
see what hospitals have to pay for interpreters.
Because of the Hippa laws, no volunteers are allowed
to be used as interpreters. Mega bucks on top of the
huge medical costs here in Florida... total destruction of this
country....is coming.