1.2-15 When defendant has an interpreter
New, May 10, 2012
The defendant in this case is not sufficiently fluent in the
English language for trial purposes.
(He/She) has a constitutional right to a court certified
interpreter. This is
because a defendant who lacks an understanding of the legal
proceedings surrounding (his/her) case cannot assist in the
defense, challenge the accusers, and make informed choices
regarding (his/her) fundamental rights.
It is through the use of qualified interpreters that
defendants who cannot fully understand English are afforded the
same fair treatment and opportunities in their defense as
English speaking defendants.
Commentary
The federal due process
clause requires continuous translations at trial when a
non-English speaking defendant cannot understand or appreciate
the proceedings.
State v. Munoz, 233 Conn. 106, 132 (1995).
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