File #: Res 0859-2011    Version: * Name: Duties of interpreters appointed by the courts in certain cases. (A.6113/S.1870)
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Women's Issues
On agenda: 6/14/2011
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution in support of A.6113/S.1870, an act to amend the Family Court Act and the Criminal Procedure Law, in relation to the duties of interpreters appointed by the courts in certain cases.
Sponsors: Rosie Mendez, Letitia James, Mark S. Weprin, Jumaane D. Williams
Council Member Sponsors: 4
Attachments: 1. Committee Report 6/13/11, 2. Hearing Testimony 6/13/11, 3. Hearing Transcript 6/13/11
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2013*Rosie Mendez City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
6/14/2011*Rosie Mendez City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
6/14/2011*Rosie Mendez City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
6/13/2011*Rosie Mendez Committee on Public Safety P-C Item Laid Over by Comm  Action details Meeting details Not available
6/13/2011*Rosie Mendez Committee on Public Safety Hearing on P-C Item by Comm  Action details Meeting details Not available
6/13/2011*Rosie Mendez Committee on Women's Issues P-C Item Laid Over by Comm  Action details Meeting details Not available
6/13/2011*Rosie Mendez Committee on Women's Issues Hearing on P-C Item by Comm  Action details Meeting details Not available
Preconsidered Res. No. 859
 
 
Resolution in support of A.6113/S.1870, an act to amend the Family Court Act and the Criminal Procedure Law, in relation to the duties of interpreters appointed by the courts in certain cases.  
 
 
By Council Members Mendez, James, Weprin and Williams
 
Whereas, Domestic violence situations often require the use of orders of protection to assist in protecting the victims; and
Whereas, Orders of protection are provided through both criminal and family courts; and
Whereas, These court orders document and detail specific behaviors that cannot be committed; and
Whereas, If an order is violated once served, the violator can be arrested and charged with more serious crimes; and
Whereas, Due to the serious nature of domestic violence incidents, it is imperative that a person or persons protected by an order of protection understand his/her rights and recourse under the law; and
Whereas, It is also of great importance that a perpetrator or respondent understand what he/she can or cannot do and the consequences of violating the order served upon them; and
Whereas, Language barriers can make any document, situation, or instruction difficult to comprehend, especially legal documents and court mandated behaviors; and
Whereas, New York State Courts provide interpreters for proceedings if interpreters are requested and/or deemed necessary by the assigned Judge; and
Whereas, Interpreters are currently not used to translate orders of protection; and
Whereas, In March 2011, the New York State Assembly passed A.6113, an act that would amend the Family Court Act and the Criminal Procedure Law in relation to the duties of interpreters appointed by the courts in certain cases; and
Whereas, The Senate companion bill, S.1870 was introduced in January 2011, but no vote has been taken; and
Whereas, A.6113/S1870 would require a court issuing an order of protection to direct a court appointed interpreter already appointed to assist in a proceeding to also translate the essential terms and conditions of any order of protection issued by the court, as so outlined by the court; and
Whereas, Domestic violence is a serious societal and criminal issue that requires the full attention of the criminal justice system, and the use of interpreters will ensure that the victims are provided with greater protection and assist in deterring future violence; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York supports A.6113/S.1870, an act to amend the family court act and the criminal procedure law, in relation to the duties of interpreters appointed by the courts in certain cases.
 
JP
LS 2532
6/3/11