Spanish Language Media Breaks Story On Real Impact Of Court Interpreters Strike

News from the California Federation of Interpreters/Newspaper Guild-CWA Local 39521 

For More Information:
Mary Lou Aranguren – (510) 290-8103
Alex Abella – (818) 389-7847

LOS ANGELES - Local Spanish news media is reporting shocking developments from Los Angeles courtrooms, where the court interpreters strike is causing "chaos," according to news reports in La Opinion and Hoy.

A series of articles published within the past week have revealed instances in which – because of the lack of interpreters to attend their court hearings – accused defendants have been released from jail, and others in custody have had their jail time extended. Relatives of the accused are quoted in the Spanish language press, claiming that their loved ones have had their cases put over for weeks, and that they are being kept in custody longer because of the Court's prolonged failure to settle the strike.

One woman quoted in the articles described her husband's incarceration as having been extended for a month after several continuances. "The judge told us that my husband could not get out because of the lack of interpreters," stated Maria, who preferred not to be identified for fear of jeopardizing her husband.

The September 26 report in La Opinion also described the release of numerous detainees who could not be arraigned within 72 hours of their arrest as required by law because of the lack of interpreters.  One Salvadorean native, Jose Arriaza, is quoted as saying, "They had said that I had weapons possession charges, but they never told me anything or took me before a judge.  Not only that, but I didn't talk to a public defender or an interpreter."

The September 25 edition of La Opinion quoted Maria Arias, witness coordinator for the D.A.'s office, as saying the courts were getting non-qualified individuals to translate, and "the information they provide these people is very poor."

The striking union, the California Federation of Interpreters, affiliated with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), has sent certified professional interpreters into courts to observe proceedings, said Mary Lou Aranguren, union representative.  "We have witnessed non-certified, unqualified replacements at work and can attest that many of them are not fully competent and are not interpreting the proceedings accurately," she said.  "We have also seen judges recruit members of the public from the audience, sometime even relatives of defendants, to interpret." Aranguren said the courts are delaying hundreds of cases each day because of the interpreting crisis. 

When interpreters are recruited, some judges are failing to notify the parties as required by law that the replacements are not certified for courtroom interpreting, Aranguren pointed out.  She added that this denies attorneys and their clients the right to object and fully protect their clients.  "Every right and protection afforded the accused under the constitution becomes jeopardized when he or she can't fully understand what is going on in the courtroom," Aranguren said.

Hundreds of court interpreters in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo have been on strike since September 5. They are demanding equality of treatment from management, as compared to other employees in the courts.