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Due process requires that parties to court actions be able to fully
understand and comprehend the proceedings. In addition, it is important
that clients and witnesses be able to fully communicate with attorneys
during the preparation of cases for disposition and trials. To meet
that obligation, the Office of the Public Defender employs two full-time
interpreters, primarily in Spanish. Conversations and courtroom
proceedings are translated when clients and/or witnesses do not
comfortably communicate in English. When clients and witnesses speak
other languages, the Public Defender contracts with outside agencies
to provide interpreters in the client’s or witnesses’
native language for courtroom and outside-court conversations.
The Public Defender interpreters are based at the main office
(401 222-3492) and are available for telephone conversations with
Spanish-speaking
clients and their families.
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