Immigrants in Courts

by Joanne I. Moore (Editor), Margaret Fisher (Editor), James M. Dolliver (Foreword by)

Overview

Hundreds of thousands of immigrants enter the United States each year, and the number appearing in U.S. courts is rising in many states. Immigrants in Courts addresses their access to justice in the United States and the procedural obstacles they face. Immigrants’ cultural and linguistic dilemmas in court are explored through their words and the reports of judges, attorneys, and court interpreters. Techniques for responding to the problem are examined in this readable and informative text.

Immigrants in Courts provides judges, court staff, and advocates with ready information about the legal and cultural systems under which many immigrants grew up. Legal experts discuss the legal systems of four countries—China, Mexico, Russia, and Vietnam—and of the Muslim world. They explore not only how the law appears on the books but how the general population of a country perceives its legal system and how perceptions affect expectations in the new country.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780295980614
Publisher:	University of Washington Press
Publication date:	12/01/2000
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	264
File size:	26 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	18 Years

Table of Contents

Foreword / Justice James M. Dolliver

Preface / Joanne I. Moore

Introduction / Judge Paul J. DeMuniz

1. Speaking of Culture: Immigrants in the American Legal System

2. Interpreters in Court Proceedings, by Joanne I. Moore and Judge Ron A. Mamiya

3. Immigration Information for Criminal Cases in State Courts, by Norton Tooby

4. Law and Legal Culture in China, by Pitman B. Potter

5. Mexican Immigrants in Courts, by Juan-Vincente Palerm, Bobby R. Vincent, Kathryn Vincent

6. The Shari’a: Islamic Law: What Muslims in the United States Have in Common, by M. Cherif Bassiouni

7. Middle Easterners in American Courts, by Mosabi Hamed and Joanne I. Moore

8. The Russian Federation, by Antti Korkeakivi and Maria Zolotukhina

9. Vietnamese Immigrants in American Courts, by Tai Van Ta

10. Application: Presiding Over Cases Involving Immigrants, by Judge Paul J. DeMuniz and Joanne I. Moore

Appendix 1: Summary of Survey Results

Appendix 2: Translated Explanations of Important Legal Concepts

Appendix 3: Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters

Appendix 4: Providing Information about the Law to Immigrants

Appendix 5: Immigration Status and Battered Immigrants

Appendix 6: More Information on Immigration Consequences

Notes

Contributors

Index

What People are Saying About This

Justice James M. Dolliver

Washington State judges are vitally interested in the topics covered in Immigrants in Courts. The issues at stake affect immigrants all over the country in a similar manner. The blend of scholarly analysis and practical application should make this book an attractive text for college or law school classes, a reference book for judges and attorneys, and a compelling book for anyone with an interest in immigrants.

Liem H. Do

It takes many years of hard work and study to rebuild a life after immigrating. For many immigrants who are still adjusting to the United States, getting involved with the legal system is one of the most confusing and frightening experiences they have. Immigrants in Courts explains how and why immigrants feel so lost in the courts.

Editorial Reviews

Provides judges, court staff, and advocates with information about the legal and cultural systems of China, Mexico, Russia, and Vietnam, as well as the Muslim world. Discussion of the dilemmas faced by immigrants in an unfamiliar legal environment is followed by methods for addressing problems posed by cultural differences in the legal arena. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknew.com)

Booknews