Translating the Courtroom

I heard a presentation the other night about the importance of having a qualified interpreter for non-English speaking defendants in the courtroom. I knew that would be important, but I hadn't given it much thought beyond that. The presentation included a video clip about an interpreter and her client who was being charged with stealing. The interpreter did a very poor job of interpreting the judge's questions, and the defendant ended up pleading guilty to stealing even though she had a good explanation for what happened. But the judge never heard this explanation. (It was not a jury trial.)

The presentation went on to say that there is a difference between a registered and certified interpreter. A certified interpreter takes it a step further and interprets the proceedings simultaneously. Similar to how sign language interpreters interpret a play simultaneously to the audience, I believe.

Freak Bikes

I am taking a breather from school for a few days and doing some much needed housework and catching up on on Nashville Scene reading. In one of the issues, they answered a question I had had for some time. Who are the guys riding the interesting, wierd bikes around town? I would usually see guys riding these bkes in Hillsboro Village, and would always do a doubletake. The bikes are tall, and unusual. Engineer types, I thought.

Well, maybe they are engineering types, but they are members of The Rat Patrol, and they make freak bikes. Apparently there are similar groups of people all over the country. In the article, they mentioned that Nashville is not a good city for bikeriding. Too many hills and too few bike lanes, and hard to get bike parts. One of their main tenets: to remain essentially disorganized.

Moot Court Blues--Episode 9

Our team had to make a motion for a new trial last week, but the "judge"--our teacher--ruled against us. As he explained when we earlier lost our case, we just had bad facts. And as the saying goes, "bad facts make bad law." So it was an exercise in futility; in real life we would have never made this motion. But it was an exercise in practice for us. We are also going back over the rules of civil procedure, criminal procedure, and evidence in moot court. Although it is easy to complain about that, as it is just more reading we have to do, it is valuable. Going over the rules again at this point is a bonus, as we will need to know the info for the bar exam.

BarBri Paid Off

I whipped out my debit card today and paid off the balance owed on my BarBri review course. I did it today for a couple of reasons: I received my IRS tax refund this morning and I wanted to pay it off before something happened to that money. Knowing me, something could happen to that money easily! The other reason is that I thought it would be a good show of confidence in myself to pay it off--to act "as if" I know already that I passed the test I took last week. The test I think I did badly on. But the test I think I passed. It is such a load off my mind to have that review course paid off. It is very expensive and I was worried I could not afford it. And not taking it is not an option. Now I can stop worrying about that and start thinking about other things!

Can't Keep My Eyes Open

Law school has caught up with me. After three tests fairly quickly in a row, I am exhausted. I had my most recent test last night, and then I had to attend a dinner tonight. I got home about 9 p.m., hoping to do some housework, but sat down at my computer and got sleepy fairly quickly. I laid down on the sofa and bam! Fell asleep. Just like I have done almost every night. I read an article in the paper a little while ago that said if people are sleep deprived night after night, it might become impossible for them to catch up on sleep. I am doomed.

Craig's List Prostitution Sting

Nashville saw 18 arrested in a Craig's List prostitution sting recently. Apparently these Craig's List stings have been going on around the country. Unbelievably, I know a couple of people on the list. I almost didn't look at it thinking I wouldn't know anyone, but was then surprised. I feel badly for those I know, even though they did it to themselves. Just for fun, I looked at the "casual encounters" listings on Nashville's Craig List. I wouldn't in a million years go meet these people who I don't know like that. I guess I just don't understand why anyone would put themselves in that position.

Feeling Insecure About Secured Transactions

Once again today, I overslept and I am panicked about my secured transactions exam next week. I am mad that I overslept, but then again I was exhausted. Maybe I will be more productive being rested. I am sure that is true, but still it is time I can't get back. The subject doesn't seem complicated, but there is too much material to read in the time allotted. I have to get my groove on.