Legal Spanish Blog
A case in which a felony is automatically reduced to a misdemeanor, if the individual successfully completes Probation.
Translations
Spanish – Delito no tipificado
Spanish interpreters, please feel free to submit ideas and alternative translations for the terms listed above. Leave a comment below, or send me an email here.
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Some good terms from an expert witness testimony a few months ago…
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – lesión cerebral traumática
Frontal lobe injury – lesión al lóbulo frontal
Parietal lobe injury – lesión al lóbulo parietal
ICU – Unidad de Cuidado/Tratamiento Intensivo
Nail gun – pistola de clavos
Burr hole – agujero de trépano
Coup (hitting your head) – golpe
Whiplash – traumatismo cervical
Not guilty by reason of insanity – no culpable por demencia
Spanish interpreters, please feel free to submit ideas and alternative translations for the terms listed above. Leave a comment below, or send me an email here.
Don’t see your language? We need your help! Please submit possible translations in your language here. (Be sure to include the term in English as well.)
A fibrous mineral used in insulation, auto manufacturing, shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, etc. Exposure is known to cause lung cancer.
Translations
Spanish – amianto
Thanks to Julian for sharing this one that came up in a small claims trial!
Spanish interpreters, please feel free to submit ideas and alternative translations for the terms listed above. Leave a comment below, or send me an email here.
Don’t see your language? We need your help! Please submit possible translations in your language here. (Be sure to include the term in English as well.)
Yet another reminder of the importance of sentient, human interpreters.
A motion to suppress evidence was granted to the Defense in a drug case, because the police officer used Google Translate to communicate with the Defendant.
When the officer attempted to ask, “Can I search your car?”, Google Translate spat out “¿Puedo buscar el auto?” For those who don’t speak Spanish, this “translation” literally means “Can I look for the car?”.
On June 4, 2018, in Kansas City, a US District Judge ruled that
“considering the imprecise translation, the court does not find the government has met its burden to show defendant’s consent was “unequivocal and specific and freely and intelligently given.””
Read the article here.
Read the Court’s ruling here.
(Below is an unrelated, comical image, welcoming the Pope.)
Issued to obtain the presence of an individual in one state, when the person is in custody in another state. Used to enforce the return of individuals who have not waived extradition to the requesting state.
(From avvo.com)
Translations
Spanish – Orden de extradición
Spanish interpreters, please feel free to submit ideas and alternative translations for the terms listed above. Leave a comment below, or send me an email here.
Don’t see your language? We need your help! Please submit possible translations in your language here. (Be sure to include the term in English as well.)
Just a little Friday gift for everyone. A hilarious and delightful reminder of why having real, live, human interpreters is so important.
Watch the video here: Google Translate sings Bohemian Rhapsody
Someone “translated” the lyrics to Bohemian Rhapsody into a foreign language using Google Translate, and then “translated” them back into English. The results are bizarre.
Imagine if this were actual testimony during a murder trial.
Here are just a few of the translation fails:
Obviously, this was done for entertainment’s sake, but the next time someone asks you why the courts/hospitals/schools don’t just use Google Translate, send them this video.
Now turn the volume up and rock out to the utter ridiculousness!
This came up during an appeal hearing the other day, and the Defense Counsel, District Attorney and Judge all started reading out of their law books at the speed of light. Luckily, I found a book on the Destruction of Evidence on google books on my phone, and was able to could keep up with their arguments. Below are the basics, with some of the key terms, names and dates. The next time this one comes up, we’ll be ready!
From the Supreme Court case California v. Trombetta (1984)
The Trombetta Standard for Constitutional Materiality is the standard by which destroyed evidence is judged. There are three parts that are considered:
(From Destruction of Evidence by Jamie S. Gorelick, Stephen Marzen and Lawrence Solum)
For more information on the case law, click here.
Translations
Spanish – Estándar de Trombetta
Spanish interpreters, please feel free to submit ideas and alternative translations for the terms listed above. Leave a comment below, or send me an email here.
Don’t see your language? We need your help! Please submit possible translations in your language here. (Be sure to include the term in English as well.)
A Latin term meaning “in the character or manner of a pauper.”
A motion to file in forma pauperis is a motion to file without payment of a filing fee, for indigent individuals. The person may be asked to provide bank statements, paystubs, etc. as proof of income.
Translations
Spanish – Since this is a Latin term, it can be left as is.
Spanish interpreters, please feel free to submit ideas and alternative translations for the terms listed above. Leave a comment below, or send me an email here.
Don’t see your language? We need your help! Please submit possible translations in your language here. (Be sure to include the term in English as well.)
Non-penetrative sexual activity. For example, rubbing the genitalia on someone/something while wearing clothing. This is a non-clinical term.
Translations
Spanish – sexo en seco
Spanish interpreters, please feel free to submit ideas and alternative translations for the terms listed above. Leave a comment below, or send me an email here.
Don’t see your language? We need your help! Please submit possible translations in your language here. (Be sure to include the term in English as well.)
A legal instrument used to transfer interest in real property. The owner/grantor quits any right to claim the property, and interest is transferred to the recipient/grantee.
Heard during division of property in divorces.
Translations
Spanish – documento/escritura de finiquito
Spanish interpreters, please feel free to submit ideas and alternative translations for the terms listed above. Leave a comment below, or send me an email here.
Don’t see your language? We need your help! Please submit possible translations in your language here. (Be sure to include the term in English as well.)
Décalage 