Manassas City Police Department Court Interpreter Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The city of Manassas will use its Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $10,398 to continue supporting a Spanish interpreter to assist police officers in the adjudication of pending cases. This initiative was started as a pilot project with Fiscal Year 2006 JAG funds. The program utilizes a contract court-certified interpreter to follow the Manassas Police officers' cases in General District Court approximately four days a month. The objectives for this program are to: enhance the local criminal courts system; improve and meet the needs of Hispanic/Latino crime victims; improve the resolution of pending court cases; and reduce the time the police officers are in court awaiting interpreter services.

NCA/NCF