Am I just too PC?

littlestjerry

So, as prosecutors, we often have to conference cases directly with defendants if they don't have lawyers. Everyone in the courtroom, judges, sheriffs, my coworkers does the same thing with defendants who have hispanic last names. First thing they say to them is "do you need an interpreter?" I never do this and think it's rude to assume they might not speak English. I just start talking to them and if they don't understand, they tell me. Am I being too sensitive? I feel crazy because I think it's pretty rude, but clearly not one other person in the room gives it a second thought.

MsMommy2012

As someone with a Spanish last name (until I got married) you're absolutely right. It was infuriating to have people assume I didn't speak English.

littlestjerry

Yes, only hispanic last names. Even though we frequently have defendants who speak various African dialects and Arabic. I guess they don't readily identify those last names? I find it bizarre, but feel like I'm in the twilight zone a little.

Helenahhandbasket

It's rude-- you are not PC-- you sound normal.

I have a Spanish last name but I am blonde and blue eyed.  I wonder if they would try that mess with me.

CinemaGoddess

This sounds like a CYA kind of thing, so the defendent can't come back later and claim they didn't know what was going on because language barrier.  

I do give the side-eye to them doing that only to hispanic named people.  

littlestjerry

I suppose it could be CYA, but I can certainly tell if someone doesn't know what I'm saying. So at that point, I call an interpreter.

aforst

If they were asking everyone this, it wouldn't bother me.  Like you said, you can tell if someone doesn't understand then it seems ok to move to that.

JackoftheBox

CinemaGoddess said:

This sounds like a CYA kind of thing, so the defendent can't come back later and claim they didn't know what was going on because language barrier.  

I do give the side-eye to them doing that only to hispanic named people.  

This.

LuckyDad

They really should be asking Everyone if they need an interpreter.

MsMommy2012

If it's CYA, they should be asking everyone. There are plenty of ppl who don't speak English and don't have Hispanic-sounding last names. It's even worse if it is a cya thing, IMO.

CinemaGoddess

And are you 100% sure that the other defendants who may or may not speak English aren't being asked if they need an interpreter?  Are there interpreters available for various languages?  I think our courts have translators available for 10-12 (possibly more) different languages. 

littlestjerry

Yeah, I'm sure because we can all hear what each other are doing. We have interpreters for many, many languages available, but obviously use the Spanish interpreters the most.

RayRay007

Either you ask everyone or no one. 

futuremrsdelguidice

I agree that you either ask everyone or no one. It's unfair. I understand that it might be a CYA thing but that means they should be doing it with each person that walks in the door

CinemaGoddess

bearsbearsbears said:

This sort of shit is pretty ridiculous.  I think they should ask it to everyone if they want to CYA.

@cinemagoddess do you work for the courts?  I know that the hospitals MH has worked for have an interpreter phone available--it's connected to a central service with translators for tons of languages and they interpret over the phone.  Do you have something like that available?

No, but my BIL is a lawyer and deals with this a lot.  I was just wondering if it was a regional thing or if this was standard practice nationwide.