The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators is speaking out about an Illinois sexual assault case in which the court failed to provide the victim with an interpreter. The charge against the defendant was ultimately dismissed and he now stands accused of another rape. Read about the case here.
“Our organization is appalled that a request for an interpreter from an alleged victim in this case was rebuffed in such a way. With so much hanging in the balance–not this case alone, but our entire premise of equal justice–such a decision is incomprehensible,” wrote NAJIT Chair Rob Cruz. Read the entire NAJIT letter here.
CFI also echoes those sentiments.
“I wanted to take the time to join our NAJIT colleagues in their outrage at the miscarriage of justice that took place in the state of Illinois. I commend the leadership of our sister association for taking the lead in bringing this issue to interpreters,” said CFI President Ariel Torrone. “Unfortunately, it seems that it takes a tragic case like this one to highlight the importance of our role in the judicial system. Let’s make sure, in every way and every day, that we start educating the people who use our services in order to do our part to avoid travesties like this one.”
