Testimony from the victim of the trial in which a Buffalo Grove [Illinois, USA] man is accused of sexually assaulting his wife at knife point was halted by a Lake County judge Wednesday afternoon due to interpreter issues.
Associate Judge George Bridges discharged the interpreter assigned to the witness, who was expected to give testimony that her husband, Kun Lee, 54, sexually assaulted her with a knife Nov. 9, 2005.
The witness required a Korean interpreter, who directed the witness in how to answer questions and conversed with the witness outside of translating questions and answers put before the witness.
This prompted defense attorney Jed Stone to move for a mistrial.
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Feb 18, 2010
Interpreter removed from trial for conversing with witness (US)
Source: Suburban Chicago News
Story flagged by:
Henry Dotterer
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США
Local time: 15:52
английский => арабский
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The judge should ban the agency which provided that incompetent and clueless interpreter [who also was apparently untrained or not oriented by that sending agency on suitable courtroom practice before presenting at the court] from further business with that court.
In view of the contamination of the interpreted testimony and the blatant misconduct of this interpreter, that judge will most likely grant the defense's moti... See more
The judge should ban the agency which provided that incompetent and clueless interpreter [who also was apparently untrained or not oriented by that sending agency on suitable courtroom practice before presenting at the court] from further business with that court.
In view of the contamination of the interpreted testimony and the blatant misconduct of this interpreter, that judge will most likely grant the defense's motion for a mistrial.
Regards,
Stephen H. Franke
English - Arabic,
Kurdish, and Persian
San Pedro, California ▲ Collapse
Великобритания
французский => английский
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How did the court know that the interpreter was acting improperly? Who drew the judge's attention to the problem?
Португалия
Local time: 23:52
Член ProZ.com c 2007
английский => португальский
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John, you raise a very interesting point! Who in fact drew the judge's attention?
Уругвай
Local time: 20:52
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That`s a very good question indeed.
США
Local time: 18:52
румынский => английский
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The judge did no tgrant the motion for mistrial, but the defendant was found not guilty by the jury. He is in INS custody in order to be deported. It seems that the interpreter, while interpreting one of the prosecution's questions, explained to the witness (victim) how to answer.... a no,no.
Австрия
Local time: 00:52
немецкий => английский
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Well, given that the defendant also seems to have been Korean, I would imagine he drew his lawyer's attention to the matter.
США
Local time: 15:52
английский => испанский
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As to how the alleged improper conduct could have been established, common sense provides the answer: upon observing that t... See more
As to how the alleged improper conduct could have been established, common sense provides the answer: upon observing that the interpreter addresses the witness and engages in communication unprompted. Very simple this.
However, I fully agree with Stephen Franke's implicit observation concerning the need for instruction of any unqualified court interpreter in adherence to the applicable code of conduct and professional responsibility.
Sadly, the state of Illinois is not a member of the Consortium for Language Access in the Courts (formerly the Consortium for State Court Interpreter Certification) which arguably is the easiest and most efficient route to implementing an objectively tenable and accountable qualification method for court interpreters. At this point, only the Cook County Circuit is a member of the CLAS; it follows that Lake County operates in a dangerous vacuum.
Finally, an observation about the importance of sticking to one's area of professional competence: assertions such as "that judge will most likely grant the defense’s motion for a mistrial" are a perilous assumption of knowledge of applicable laws and procedures. As that same article points out: "[Associate Judge George] Bridges denied the mistrial motion and said the victim would be recalled with a new interpreter."
Let's leave the legal opinions to the legal scholars, and stick to advocating for our profession, if we are to succeed as competent and properly credentialed court interpreters.
All respectfully submitted.
Local time: 16:52
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