Thursday, July 24, 2008
The General Assembly is not in session.
Tracking Virginia’s General Assembly
since 2007.
HB624: Interpreters; cost for those appointed for non-English-speaking defendant.
Chief Patron
Del.
Jackson Miller (R-50)
Jackson Miller
(R-50)
Manassas, VA
Served: 2007–
Progress
 |
Introduced |
 |
Passed Committee |
 |
Passed House |
|
Passed Senate |
|
Signed by Governor |
|
Became Law |
Status
02/12/2008: Failed to Pass in Committee
Summary
Criminal procedure; interpreter appointed for non-English-speaking defendant. Provides that the cost for such interpreter shall be borne by a defendant who is convicted at trial of the criminal offense.
View Full Text »Video
Votes were cast on this bill on the following dates for which Richmond Sunlight has video: 02/12/2008.
Poll Results
2 votes
Tags
Bill Text
Related Bills
Introduced: December 07, 2007
Status: Failed to Pass in Committee
: Voters and voting; photo identification required to vote.Status: Failed to Pass in Committee
Introduced: December 18, 2007
Status: In Committee
: Higher educational institutions; enrollment of aliens.Status: In Committee
Introduced: December 26, 2007
Status: Failed to Pass in Committee
: Real estate tax; exemption for elderly and handicapped persons legally present in United States.Status: Failed to Pass in Committee
Introduced: January 03, 2008
Status: Failed to Pass in Committee
: Federal immigration functions; performance of certain.Status: Failed to Pass in Committee
Introduced: January 04, 2008
Status: signed by governor
: Illegal aliens; presumption of no bail for those charged with certain crimes.Status: signed by governor
Subscribe
Keep track of the status of this bill as it moves through the General Assembly
— subscribe
via RSS.
Comments
This bill likely violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and a related executive order that require programs receiving federal funds, like the court system, to ensure program access for persons with limited English proficiency. Proposals along this line applicable to both persons with language issues and those with hearing disabilities have been offered several times in past years, and have been defeated each time, usually in committee.
The General Assembly should vote NO again this year on this bill that can't be said to be about legal status, since it applies to everyone with limited English language skills regardless of citizenship.
P.S. If English is your first language, and you've ever tried to function effectively in your second language when the stakes are high and you are under stress, you might appreciate why someone facing serious charges might need to have an interpreter in order to ensure that he/she can fully comprehend what's happening and participate effectively in his/her defense.