Public Policy Center, University of Nebraska

 

Date of this Version

2006

Comments

Published by Elizabeth Neeley in the Nebraska Lawyer (January 2006)

Abstract

In our on-going effort to examine and address perception issues of racial and ethnic bias in the courts, the Nebraska Minority and Justice Implementation Committed identified a concern with non-English speaking defendants' access to information pertaining to bail bonds. More specifically, there is a concern that in smaller counties, where interpreters and judges are not available on a daily basis, non-English speaking misdemeanor defendants could be detained until arraignment without being advised ofavailable scheduled bonds. In addition to the issue of unequal access to scheduled bonds, the problematic nature of this situation could escalate if nonEnglish speakers are encouraged to plead guilty for "timeserved", thereby negatively impacting the defendant's criminal history, which may impact future sentencing decisions.

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