Voices for Victims in Tennessee Courts

Let's celebrate this victory for victims in Tennessee --- the Tennessee Supreme Court began providing for translation services for all victims in Tennessee courts on July 1, 2012.  Back in 2010, US Attorney General Holder issued a federal mandate that all states provide translation services to the parties involved in any court proceeding.  Recognizing the large number of non-English speakers we have in this country (and let's remember that general language needed for daily life does not correlate into being proficient in legal language used in a courtroom), General Holder declared that not providing those people with translation services violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and that the states could lose precious federal funding unless they provided translation services.  Recognizing that victims are often just as crucial to a case as the parties themselves, the Tennessee Supreme Court, after receiving numerous comments and support, created a victim's right to translation through its program to promote judicial awareness and openness.  Way to go, TSC!  To read the news article, go here.