WSFA 12 News Montgomery, AL |Justice Department checks Ala. court interpreters
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Associated Press - November 9, 2009 11:24 AM ET
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Court officials say the U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether Alabama's courts are following federal civil rights law in providing interpreters for people who are not fluent in English.
A lawyer for the state's Administrative Office of Courts, David Sawyer, said Justice Department personnel have visited Birmingham, Albertville, Athens, Decatur, Fort Payne and Oneonta.
Justice Department spokesman Alejandro Miyar said the goal is to determine if the courts are making federally required accommodations for people with limited English skills.
Sawyer said the investigation was prompted by a complaint more than a year ago. Since the complaint was filed, Alabama has started offering certification for court interpreters.
Information from: The Birmingham News, http://www.al.com/birminghamnews
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