Court Rules NonEnglish Speaking Citizens Can Serve On Juries
Aug 13, 2013 15:09:59 GMT -5
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 13, 2013 15:09:59 GMT -5
This is insanity! 
How on earth is someone supposed to get a fair trial?
New Mexico Court Rules Non-English Speaking Citizens Can Serve On Juries
August 13, 2013 9:55 AM
Related tags
jury, Michael Samora, New Mexico Supreme Court, non-English speaking
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court is cautioning trial courts and lawyers that citizens who don’t speak English have the right to serve on juries.
The court issued the admonition in a ruling that upholds an Albuquerque man’s convictions for murder and other crimes in the bludgeoning death of his girlfriend and a subsequent armed robbery and stabbing.
Michael Samora’s appeal argued that his convictions should be reversed because a Bernalillo County judge excused a Spanish-speaking prospective juror who had trouble understanding English.
The Supreme Court says it agrees with that argument but also says Samora’s defense needed to object during the trial but didn’t.
The ruling issued Monday tells judges and lawyers that they must make reasonable efforts to protect the rights of non-English speaking citizens to serve on juries.
link
How on earth is someone supposed to get a fair trial?New Mexico Court Rules Non-English Speaking Citizens Can Serve On Juries
August 13, 2013 9:55 AM
Related tags
jury, Michael Samora, New Mexico Supreme Court, non-English speaking
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court is cautioning trial courts and lawyers that citizens who don’t speak English have the right to serve on juries.
The court issued the admonition in a ruling that upholds an Albuquerque man’s convictions for murder and other crimes in the bludgeoning death of his girlfriend and a subsequent armed robbery and stabbing.
Michael Samora’s appeal argued that his convictions should be reversed because a Bernalillo County judge excused a Spanish-speaking prospective juror who had trouble understanding English.
The Supreme Court says it agrees with that argument but also says Samora’s defense needed to object during the trial but didn’t.
The ruling issued Monday tells judges and lawyers that they must make reasonable efforts to protect the rights of non-English speaking citizens to serve on juries.
link
