Pubdate: Thu, 09 May 2002
Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO)
Copyright: 2002, Denver Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.rockymountainnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/371
Author: Associated Press

APPEALS COURT: JURORS MUST UNDERSTAND ENGLISH

The state Court of Appeals threw out a drug conviction on Thursday because 
a juror did not understand English.

Andrew Lee Orozco was appealing verdicts finding him guilty of unlawful 
possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and 
possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.

The appeals court said the trial court erred by denying his challenge for 
cause to a prospective juror who did not understand the English language.

"The failure of a prospective juror to meet a qualification for jury 
service operates as a basis for a challenge for cause rather than as an 
absolute prohibition to service," the appeals court ruled.

A Korean woman on the jury told the judge she had a difficult time 
understanding English. The judge offered to provide written instructions, 
rejecting a request from defense attorneys to have her removed.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth