CULTURAL AND LANGUAGE ISSUES IN CRIMINAL DEFENSE AND CIVIL LITIGATION
When: April 15, 2010, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Credit: 2 CLE credits
Cost: $10 GLBA Members / $25 general public
Where: Lowell District Court – 4th Session Courtroom
Speaker: Dr. Michael O’Loughlin
Certified Court Interpreter
Expert Witness for Language and Cultural Issues
Director, Boston University Interpreter Program
Today there are many criminal and civil cases that involve languages or understanding in one way or another. Whenever legal rights are waived, statements are made or a confrontation with the police occurs, a person who does not speak English perfectly can be at a real disadvantage. Misunderstandings are extremely common.
Dr. O’Loughlin will discuss the legal ramifications of cultural and language factors as they play out in criminal and civil litigation. Topics will include: Language Barriers in the context of Miranda, OUI encounters, Interrogations, etc.; Cultural differences impact upon employment law practices; Cultural Factors such as unusual beliefs, fears, superstitions and religious practices; subordination of women, family or group decision-making patterns; inordinate deference to authority figures, fear of military or police figures; causes and treatment of illness, death and dying; different attitudes towards sexuality, bodily contact and bodily functions; and cross-racial identifications.