Comments on Banjo's World: Interpreters' Code of Ethics Violation on CSI: LV

When in a legal interpreting scenario, the interpr...

2011-02-04T22:46:19.225-05:00

When in a legal interpreting scenario, the interpreter works for the lawyer, police or the court - depends on who's paying. If in the courthouse or in interrogation, What interpreters facilitate goes on public record. Also, intimate knowledge may affect the interpreter's ability to remain impartial. It is legally safer for the interpreter to avoid any personal interaction with the deaf consumer to ensure there's no opportunities to harm the deaf consumer. For example, if the appt is between the consumer and the lawyer outside the courthouse, the interpreter should leave the room each time the lawyer does.

Only the difference is, the interpreter is not the...

2011-02-04T18:35:34.945-05:00

Only the difference is, the interpreter is not the attorney. The interpreter doesn't represent anyone.

I don't see an issue with a terp having knowle...

2011-02-04T17:29:12.755-05:00

I don't see an issue with a terp having knowledge beforehand? Wouldn't it help the deaf client better if the terp were better prepared with knowledge beforehand?

I simply don't see how having a terp in the room before the cops is an advantage? It is similar to having an attorney prior to talking to the cops?

What Meredith pointed out to was that the deaf sus...

2011-02-04T15:13:59.290-05:00

What Meredith pointed out to was that the deaf suspect should not be having conversations with the interpreter prior to the interrogation. It implies that the interpreter may have some beforehand knowledge prior to the questioning.

Suspects are often isolated in the room prior to any questionings.

Actually, that's not the scene I was referring...

2011-02-04T15:10:59.309-05:00

Actually, that's not the scene I was referring to. After trying a bit harder to recall the scene. I believe it was the scene with Tyrone Giordano's character.

It was right after Sara showed him the gory wallpaper he made on his laptop. That was when the interpreter shook her head. The interpreter was sitting behind Sara.

The interpreters are supposed to interpret the interrogator's emotions along with the suspect's. Not their own.

Comments: 1.) Well, when the interpreter shook he...

2011-02-04T14:50:20.429-05:00

Comments:

1.) Well, when the interpreter shook her head...the guy was already busted for being hearing...so no ethics violation there.

2.)Meredith, why is it a violation to have a terp in the room with a suspect? If a deaf suspect is talking to the terp..it is the same thing as a hearing suspect "talking to himself"..in my mind terps are only an extension of the deaf person (the client).

Like I said, it's just a show but yes... you a...

2011-02-04T14:32:47.137-05:00

Like I said, it's just a show but yes... you are right.

The reason why I brought this up was because we have to make sure people do not create misconceptions based on what they see in the TV shows.

I also noticed a suspect having a conversation wit...

2011-02-04T14:10:32.798-05:00

I also noticed a suspect having a conversation with the interpreter before the police came into the room. I think it might have been the same scene. You couldn't see the interpreter, just the suspect signing, but he was obviously talking to the interpreter. It's a violation to have ANY conversation in that situation. There are situations where it is okay to chat with the interpreter before/after the event, especially if you know the person. But in an interrogation room, the interpreter shouldn't even be there if the police aren't in there too.

And the idea that interpreters have a card to access ALL ROOMS on campus? Totally bogus! Interpreters NEVER have that kind of access. Sometimes you can't even get into a building until the client shows up, much less a room.