CLE Books releases Critical Terms in Criminal Proceedings in Spanish
and English
February 25, 2004
State Bar CLE Books proudly announces its newest publication, a
Spanish-English glossary of legal terms, Critical
Terms in Criminal Proceedings in Spanish and English/ Terminologías
Esenciales en el Proceso Criminal en Español en
Inglés, by attorneys Ronald Benavides and Luis Cuevas.
This handy pocket-sized book addresses 70 critical terms in criminal
proceedings, providing clear, plain-language descriptions of the
criminal process in Spanish and English.
Attorneys will benefit from being able to better guide their
Spanish-speaking clients through the sometimes confusing criminal
justice system. Clients and their families will benefit from being
better informed and more aware of their rights and options. Interpreters
will benefit from having a resource that offers Spanish and English
explanations of procedures that are clear, accurate, and largely
dialect-neutral, and supplemental materials.
The authors outline the general procedure from issuance of a
complaint to verdict, sentencing, and appeal, and list the terms in
chronological order, as they typically occur during the criminal
process. They identify the parties and the basic rights that come into
play during the process. The book also highlights terms related to
traffic offenses and truth in sentencing.
Benavides and Cuevas wrote this book to promote consistency in the
translation of terms and concepts critical to the legal process,
especially in criminal cases. Both authors are practicing criminal
defense attorneys, Benavides in private practice and Cuevas as an
assistant state public defender. They drew upon their extensive
expertise and experience - in the courtroom itself and in actually
translating legal concepts for Spanish-speaking defendants in the
courtroom over several years.
Several volunteer reviewers also contributed their linguistic and
legal expertise: attorney Francisco Araiza (assistant state public
defender in Milwaukee and past president of the Wisconsin Hispanic
Lawyers Association), Brenda Bartholomew (court interpreter in
Milwaukee), and attorney John Nowell (Catholic Charities in Milwaukee),
along with his attorney-students in Mexico.
This convenient resource offers multiple ways to locate terms in the
book and contains several useful appendices, including the Wisconsin
court's interpreter request form, the new Court Interpreter Code of
Ethics, a list of Wisconsin statutes related to court interpreters, and
more.
This unique book will be a welcome addition to your library. The book
is available for $10, plus tax, shipping, and handling.
