In an idiotic judgement, Judge Richard Chaney, threw out charges of drunk driving against a defendant, Francisco Pereyra, because he says he only speaks Spanish and didn't understand his rights in regards to the breathalyzer.
On top of this Judge Richard Chaney became a racist by then claiming if it had been a Chinese only speaking driver that this would have been fine and the case would have been justified.
US Newswire
A North Carolina judge threw out the roadside breathalyzer test results of a Spanish speaker, saying that the officers had a duty to give him his rights in Spanish. The decision by Durham County District Court Judge Richard Chaney in a case against Francisco Pereyra is the latest in a string of judgments that have dismissed breathalyzer results due to the language barrier. Chaney's judgment on the rights of Spanish speaking DWI offenders went a step further, when he added "If you're talking about someone who speaks Chinese, you have a different issue."
My take? By driving on the roads it's a privilege. If you don't understand the rules of driving drunk ahead of time -- like for instance the question on the test that asks what the BAC for driving drunk is -- then you shouldn't be on the road. This Judge is a total failure and it is only a matter of time before someone he let back on the street with no punishment kills some innocent person just heading home after going shopping or having a long day at work.
Those supporting English as the official language were outraged at this judgement.
"Our tradition in the United States is clear," said Mauro E. Mujica, chairman of U.S. English, Inc. "We are an English speaking nation and all residents must be encouraged to learn English. Our customs also dictate that we provide translation services to non-English speakers in emergency situations. However, it is distinctly un-American to provide preferential treatment to the speakers of some languages over speakers of others, and to elevate that preference to a 'constitutional right.'"
While English and Spanish are the two most common languages in North Carolina's Research Triangle, they are by no means the only languages spoken. There are 73 languages spoken in the seven- county area, 17 of which have more than 1,000 speakers, including Tagalog, Urdu and Gujarathi. In all, there are more than 55,000 residents who speak neither English nor Spanish at home.
73 languages, yet
Judge Richard Chaney only feels that Spanish speakers should get off on charges that could endanger the lives of the innocent residents of their community.
Appalling
Tipped by: Interested-Participant
