Taike Robinson
July 2, 2011
CJA/394
Future management regarding language interpretation must be developed to assist with foreign criminals, and others who do not speak the English language. The increase in population among non-English-speaking citizens requires the criminal justice system to meet certain constitutional rights. These rights are included in the Fourth, Fifth, Fourteenth, and Sixth Amendments. Without victim right laws court proceedings may result in unfair rulings because these rights help determine the flow of court proceedings, and the victims input must be considered in the ruling of criminals. If victim right laws were never created court proceedings would be one-sided, and the jury or judge would never understand the level of pain caused during from criminal act.
Issues and trends regarding language interpretation services According to the National Center for State Courts (2009), 13% of the U.S. population does not speak English; this rate will continue to rise as the population increases. Although this is a small percentage the growing diversity rate has become difficult for the criminal justice system to meet certain constitutional requirements. Language interpretation services have become a permanent fixture in the criminal justice system because of these constitutional rights. The Fourth and Fifth Amendment enforces fundamental fairness. Whereas the Fourteenth Amendment enforces equal protection, and the Sixth Amendment enforces the right to cross examine adverse witnesses (NCSC, 2009). The enforcement of these laws has resulted in the changing of ruling for several cases on the grounds of unfair representation of a language interpreter. Courts are required to appoint interpreters when witnesses and defendants in criminal cases do not speak English. These language barriers have caused issues within the criminal justice system, especially when police officers abuse their power during interrogations.