LatinoJustice Applauds Decision by New Jersey Supreme Court Affirming Rights of Mayan Language and Other Non-English Speakers in Criminal Trials

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
August 15, 2023 
 
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LatinoJustice Applauds Decision by New Jersey Supreme Court Affirming Rights of Mayan Language and Other Non-English Speakers in Criminal Trials 
 

Trenton, NJ – In a case challenging a trial court’s denial of an in-person interpreter for a Kaqchikel speaker in a jury trial, State of New Jersey v. Juracan-Juracan, the New Jersey Supreme Court reversed the trial court's order to proceed with remote interpretation instead of in-person interpretation. The Supreme Court held that in criminal jury trials, there is a presumption of in-person interpretation.   
 

The Court remanded Mr. Juracan-Juracan's case to the trial court to decide anew whether Mr. Juracan-Juracan will be afforded an in-person interpreter at his criminal jury trial, in light of the Court’s ruling.   
 

Kaqchikel, one of twenty-two surviving Mayan languages, is spoken by nearly half a million people worldwide. 
 
The following statement can be attributed to Norma Esquivel, Associate Counsel at LatinoJustice PRLDEF, which submitted an amicus brief and presented oral argument in the case: 

“We are thrilled that the New Jersey Supreme Court created a presumption that non-English speaking defendants should receive in-person interpretation at their criminal trials. Today’s decision fortifies the constitutional rights of Mr. Juracan-Juracan as his case moves forward. This decision also reaffirms all non-English speaking defendants' right to a fundamentally fair criminal trial. All defendants, regardless of the language they speak, must be afforded the same constitutional guarantees and conditions to protect and vindicate their rights in criminal court, particularly when a non-English speaking defendant’s liberty is at stake.” 

 
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About LatinoJustice 
LatinoJustice PRLDEF works to create a more just society by using and challenging the rule of law to secure transformative, equitable and accessible justice, by empowering our community and by fostering leadership through advocacy and education. For 50 years, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has acted as an advocate against injustices throughout the country. To learn more about LatinoJustice, visit www.LatinoJustice.org