Research Symposium

BIO

Marina Farulla is a first-year undergraduate student at Florida State University with a strong interest in criminology, law, and social justice. Growing up in a Hispanic household, they developed a personal awareness of the challenges non-English speakers face in legal settings. Passionate about equity and representation, they hope to use this research as a foundation for future work in law and public policy.

Lost in Translation: How Expedited Courts Silence Spanish-Speaking Defendants

Abstract

This research explores misdemeanor court processes across the Second Judicial Circuit in North Florida. The study aims to uncover any inequities or due process failures with a focus on Hispanic immigrants with limited English proficiency. The study focuses specifically on access to counsel, informed plea decisions, and understanding of potential collateral consequences. The motivation for this research stems from the researcher’s firsthand observation of courtroom sessions where many Spanish-speaking defendants were observed to have pled guilty or accepted unfavorable terms due to the language barrier and lack of an appropriate interpreter. Additional qualitative findings included inefficient case handling, rushed proceedings, and use of untrained family members to stand in as interpreters. Statistical analyses will also be conducted on a variety of data points including average hearing length, access to legal counsel, and sanctions imposed on defendants. This research underscores the importance of addressing the inequities within misdemeanor court systems to ensure fair treatment for all defendants, regardless of language background.

Keywords: Criminology, Law, Court Systems