Duties include: Interpreting in all three modes at all stages of criminal defense, document translation, transcription of recordings, certifying accuracy of evidence translated by others, word processing skills and/or the ability to learn the software used for transcription and translation. Candidates should submit a cover letter with résumé, including name, address, telephone number, education, and work history, as well as three references that may be contacted, either by e-mail to Yolanda_France@fd.org, or by mail to:

Interpreters in Ontario’s court system say they may go on strike to protest the government’s hiring of short-term freelancers. The temporary workers, who are not required to pass the qualifying court interpreter exam, are nonetheless paid twice as much as qualified interpreters. Court Interpreters Association of Ontario President Amin Shoukri notes that some of the best court interpreters in Ontario have left for better-paying jobs in other Canadian provinces. Shoukri is quick to point out, however, that “This is not just about fair wages for our association’s members. The bigger picture is about taxpayers’ dollars hemorrhaging needlessly over a bureaucratic mess.” Shoukri’s group notes that freelance interpreters hired through independent agencies can cost the Ontario government up to $90 an hour. Some of the freelancers have never been in a courtroom, and many have not passed the province’s accreditation exam. Florinda Peschisolido, a director of the court interpreters association, says the result is that trials are often adjourned or cases thrown out. “There is an enormous cost to the taxpayer of delaying and retrying cases and paying agencies to send replacement workers at almost double the higher national rates,” says Peschisolido. The association has met with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney-General to discuss the inequities in the hiring policies, but Shoukri says that the ministry has refused to reevaluate its position. Brendan Crawley, a spokesman for the Attorney-General, says a strike would only prompt the ministry to turn to other interpreters or interpreter agencies to meet the needs of the court. “Should interpreters choose to withdraw their services,” says Crawley, “the ministry will take all steps necessary to secure other interpreters so court can proceed.” The current impasse is part of the larger issue of Ontario’s growing shortage of qualified court interpreters, which has contributed to scheduling delays, dropped charges, and higher court costs. The situation has drawn the ire of both defense lawyers and judges, with many openly critical of the way the Ministry has handled the problem.

From “Possible Strike Latest Trouble for Court Interpreters”
National Post (Canada) (12/13/11) Humphreys, Adrian

SD Panel Urges Improved Use of Court Interpreters

South Dakota should act as quickly as possible to make better use of interpreters and translators in state courtrooms, according to a study committee appointed two years ago by the state Supreme Court. In a report released in late November, the committee stated that currently the state’s judicial system has no established qualifications for interpreters and no standards for paying or training them. After noting the growing number of immigrants in South Dakota, the committee urged the judicial system to take immediate action to ensure that those with limited English proficiency receive interpreting services in court. The panel specifically recommended that the Supreme Court consider setting qualifications for interpreters and translators, establishing uniform procedures for providing language services in legal proceedings, and developing a statewide list of those qualified to serve as linguists. Circuit Judge Bradley Zell, who chaired the committee, said the panel strongly believed that individuals needing an interpreter or translator should not be charged for those services. The committee suggested that language services be paid for with state general tax funds, federal grants, or surcharges on fines and court filing fees. Zell argued that even state economic development funds could be used because people in need of court interpreter and translator services often moved to the state to work and in that sense they contributed to the growth of the South Dakota economy. Greg Sattizahn, the state judicial system’s chief legal counsel, said the Supreme Court will study the report and decide whether to formally propose rules. He added that it might be possible to expedite the implementation of some of the committee’s recommendations through changes in procedure.

From “SD Panel Urges Improved Use of Court Interpreters”
Associated Press (NY) (12/02/11) Brokaw, Chet

(Shared by CFI President Mike Ferreira)

Forensic Evaluations of Children

by Clare Sheridan & Nancy Wolfe
3.0 hours, all languages

This presentation will describe how child abuse investigations are conducted, with a focus on forensic medical and interview evaluation processes. Discussion will include red flags for child abuse, populations that are particularly at risk for child abuse, criteria for determining when medical examination is necessary, and how medical exams are conducted & documented. Participants will also learn about the intrapersonal and interpersonal dynamics of child abuse, the process of disclosure, forensic interview protocol, question formation and considerations for interpreters.

Dr. Clare Sheridan is a Forensic Pediatrician & Director of Child Advocacy Centers for San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Nancy Wolfe, M.S. is a Forensic Interviewer and Manager of the Riverside County Child Assessment Team (RCAT).

Force Options

by Sergio Banales
1.5 hours, all languages

This seminar will provide valuable information on the decision-making processes that take place in the field in real time as arrests and other use of force actions are executed. Discussion of restraint, submission to custody, justifiable homocide, sufficiency of fear, deadly force, and reasonable force. Attendees will also learn about case law governing the use of force by law enforcement.

A state certified instructor on force options, Sgt. Banales has over 21 years of experience in law enforcement. He is currently the Personnel and Training Sergeant for the Corona Police Department.

Immigration and Criminal Defense

by Rosa Elena Sahagún
1.5 hours, all languages

Discussion of the current situation in immigration law and how it relates to defendants in the criminal justice system. What happens to inmates with an ICE hold? How are immigration proceedings different from state court? Ms. Sahagún will also explain how to avoid giving legal advice, and other tips for the court interpreter from the perspective of a defense attorney.

A private attorney, Ms. Sahagún hosts a weekly Spanish Language radio show and was named Inland Empire Latino Lawyer’s 2007 Attorney of the Year for her pro bono work in the community. Ms. Sahagún has appeared on CNN En Español as a guest commentator in connection with criminal and family law issues plaguing Hollywood celebrities.

Membership Meeting

lunch provided

Find out what’s going on with bargaining and professional policy changes including the Consortium exam and CIMCE requirements. Board members and union reps will be on hand to update and field your questions.

Schedule

8:30 Registration (coffee provided)
9:00 Forensic Evaluations of Children
12:15 General Membership Meeting (lunch provided)
1:30 Use of Force Options
3:15 Immigration and Criminal Defense
5:00 Sign out

Location

1074 La Cadena Drive, Riverside CA 92507 [view larger map]
Exit 215 at Colombia Ave, take East La Cadena (not West), ample parking

You may register onsite with cash, check or major credit card.
Please arrive early!

CFI and the Pacific Media Workers Guild have new delegates and officers. Gregoria Lara in Merced is now the Northern Professional Division Director, and Mirtha Sanchez in Alameda is the new Northern Vice President of the Joint Governing Board and the Secretary of the Interpreter Unit. Congratulations and thanks to these two for their willingness to volunteer. Also, we greatly appreciate the years of service and incalculable contributions of Curtis Draves of Alameda, who is stepping down as President of CFI to be replaced by Mike Ferreira of Region 1; as well as Alejandra Siroka of San Mateo, our highly successful Northern Professional Division Director.

MOU Extended for 1 Year

The Region 3 Bargaining Committee agreed to a 1-year extension of our current contract as we did in Region 2. We will begin selecting the next bargaining committees early next year. Although there will be no raises, we avoided any cuts and maintained the current terms of the MOU.

Steward Trainings

We had a great turnout for Steward training on December 10th. Fourteen interpreters from both Northern regions came to learn more about representing the union and enforcing the contract. Plans for the next training session will be sent out soon.

Furloughs

The Merced court, who hired several more interpreters this year, has furloughed interpreters when they closed some of the courts for the short holiday weeks. As per our contract, they were available to cross-assign to other courts. If your court is planning on furloughing you, please let the Union know so we can make sure the court follows the MOU.

Rocky Terrain in Sonoma

Sonoma has become the hot-spot for grievances over the past year, but some are beginning to be resolved. The court agreed to not use volunteer interpreters in mediation sessions and also increased a half-time employee to a near-full-time status to resolve her grievance over limiting her use of sick time. Other grievances, including the courts denying cross assignments beyond 75 miles, and a court mistake that caused the interpreters to lose portions of their CIMCE reimbursements are still pending. Our relationship with the court has been rocky, but we are seeing a desire on their part to address concerns before they become grievances, as is our preference. Credit goes to the interpreters for their commitment to support each other during difficult times.

Cross-Assignments

In both regions we are working on enforcing cross-assignment language of the MOU. Region 3 interpreters should contact your steward (or Brandon) to report any dates in the last half of 2011 when you were available but not hired by the courts.

Merced is Turnaround Court of the Year

Several courts, including Alameda, Madera and Merced, have been hiring more interpreter employees. Merced has gained the title of “Turnaround Court of the Year.” For the last several years Merced was dollar-for-dollar the largest user of non-certified interpreters in Region 3, and 4th largest in the state, behind only LA, Santa Clara, and San Diego — all courts at least 10 times larger. Now, after hiring four employees (bringing their total number of employees to five), Merced has almost eliminated the use of non-certified interpreters.

Did you know? …

2012 — just days away — will be a leap year. Why? Because, as we all know, the number 2,012 is divisible by 4. But … that’s not the whole rule. It goes on: Years that are also divisible by 100 are not leap years, unless they’re also divisible by 400. Thus, 2100 will not be a leap year, but 2000 was and 2400 will be!

Have a safe, happy, and long New Year!

Brandon Scovill
Northern Field Rep

Please find the updated list of officers and delegates for CFI in our Officers and Staff section.