Courthouse officials eye Spanish
Olivia Moran - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Metro
Conversing in the courthouse could soon happen in more than one language.
In an effort to keep up with changing demographics, the Iowa Judicial Branch is in the process of equipping all of the state's courthouse staff with basic Spanish skills.
Johnson County Clerk of Court Lodema Berkley estimated that the number of Spanish-speakers who come to the courthouse (whose first language isn't English) has risen by 90 percent in the past 10 years.
In addition, Chief Justice Marsha Ternus of the Iowa Supreme Court said in her most recent State of the Judiciary Address that "Iowa's courts are significantly affected by the increasing diversity of Iowa's population."
The most recent statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the Latino population in Iowa increased from 1.2 to 2.8 percent from 1990 to 2000 and to an estimated 3.8 percent in 2006. In Iowa City, 2.9 percent of the population was Latino in 2000, statistics show.
Berkley said, most problems arise in the offices, where the majority of Spanish-speakers go to pay some sort of fine.
"I would say it's kind of a standstill for the first five minutes when we're trying to explain to them that it's a law and that they've broken a law," she said.
As of now, those who have trouble understanding have the option of contacting an attorney, Berkley said.
Steve Davis, the court communications officer for the Iowa Judicial Branch, said basic Spanish training has already begun in some Iowa counties, although he couldn't specify which counties.
Berkley said she had only heard of the program, adding that, for the time being, the Johnson County Courthouse will rely on outside Spanish interpreters.
Other district courts across the state are also relying on interpreters, turning to a statewide program called the Language Line Interpreter, which provides access to interpreters over the phone. Between November 2006 and October 2007, 776 of the calls - or 85 percent - sought Spanish-speaking services.
The second most popular languages were Bosnian and Vietnamese, receiving 59 calls combined, a recent analysis of the program shows.
Despite the growing number of Spanish speakers in Iowa, and although Ternus said communication through the use of interpreters is an "essential element of equal access to the courts," Davis said the budget for interpreters this legislative session will remain the same. However, the courts will continue to pay for translating services for those who can't afford it.
Calling for a translating appropriation, Ternus said in her speech that the process of dealing with language barriers needs to be improved for all parties involved.
"Because other state offices are likely facing the same challenge, [Iowans] may want to consider developing a comprehensive solution," she said.
E-mail DI reporter Olivia Moran at:
olivia-moran@uiowa.edu
In an effort to keep up with changing demographics, the Iowa Judicial Branch is in the process of equipping all of the state's courthouse staff with basic Spanish skills.
Johnson County Clerk of Court Lodema Berkley estimated that the number of Spanish-speakers who come to the courthouse (whose first language isn't English) has risen by 90 percent in the past 10 years.
In addition, Chief Justice Marsha Ternus of the Iowa Supreme Court said in her most recent State of the Judiciary Address that "Iowa's courts are significantly affected by the increasing diversity of Iowa's population."
The most recent statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the Latino population in Iowa increased from 1.2 to 2.8 percent from 1990 to 2000 and to an estimated 3.8 percent in 2006. In Iowa City, 2.9 percent of the population was Latino in 2000, statistics show.
Berkley said, most problems arise in the offices, where the majority of Spanish-speakers go to pay some sort of fine.
"I would say it's kind of a standstill for the first five minutes when we're trying to explain to them that it's a law and that they've broken a law," she said.
As of now, those who have trouble understanding have the option of contacting an attorney, Berkley said.
Steve Davis, the court communications officer for the Iowa Judicial Branch, said basic Spanish training has already begun in some Iowa counties, although he couldn't specify which counties.
Berkley said she had only heard of the program, adding that, for the time being, the Johnson County Courthouse will rely on outside Spanish interpreters.
Other district courts across the state are also relying on interpreters, turning to a statewide program called the Language Line Interpreter, which provides access to interpreters over the phone. Between November 2006 and October 2007, 776 of the calls - or 85 percent - sought Spanish-speaking services.
The second most popular languages were Bosnian and Vietnamese, receiving 59 calls combined, a recent analysis of the program shows.
Despite the growing number of Spanish speakers in Iowa, and although Ternus said communication through the use of interpreters is an "essential element of equal access to the courts," Davis said the budget for interpreters this legislative session will remain the same. However, the courts will continue to pay for translating services for those who can't afford it.
Calling for a translating appropriation, Ternus said in her speech that the process of dealing with language barriers needs to be improved for all parties involved.
"Because other state offices are likely facing the same challenge, [Iowans] may want to consider developing a comprehensive solution," she said.
E-mail DI reporter Olivia Moran at:
olivia-moran@uiowa.edu
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