NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee will now provide translation services to non-English speaking crime victims during court proceedings.
The move comes after a federal mandate ordering states to provide free translation services to plaintiffs and defendants during court or risk losing federal aid. While considering how to go about providing services, the Tennessee Supreme Court asked for input and heard from a group that the federal government hasn't mentioned: victims.
The Tennessean reports that after hearing from victims' advocates and a Nashville prosecutor who talked about victims not understanding court proceedings, the justices opted to expand translation services.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
