Language leaves justice tongue-tied

[bijou]

TAMPA, Fla. — He was 28. She was 11. Her parents said they gave consent, claiming cultural norms of the Guatemalan highlands. But in Dover, Florida, a little girl with a baby raises questions.

When deputies came, Teodoro Pablo-Ramirez understood only some of what they said, according to his lawyer. He speaks no English and little Spanish — just the Mayan tongue of Mam.

The indigenous language, understood by few interpreters, has stymied court cases across the country. One interpreting service in Washington resorted to recruiting a Mam speaker out of a jail lobby. ...
http://bostonherald.com/news/national/south/view.bg?articleid=1232685

[NJCardFan]

Then why the fuck is he in this country? And who gives a shit what is the norm in Guatemala. This is America and when here you abide by our laws. Parents or not, no one should be able to give this kind of consent in this country. I'm so sick and tired of this crap. These scumbags come here and think that they can continue their customs no questions asked. And the left actually defend it. And this idiot doesn't speak English or Spanish tough bananas. The law has no language barrier. This asshole should go to prison for life.