Defendants Use Language Barrier to Prolong Justice

Recently, there has been a pattern emerging in the Tom Green County Court where inmates are using the inability to speak English to prolong their court dates. Two convicted felons, Jesus Hernandez Ramos, Jr., 74, and Miguel Hernandez, 41, are two felons who did just that. Although language barriers are not uncommon in cases, these two individuals previously communicated with their attorneys in English.

Ramos, who was scheduled for court this morning at the Courthouse, is being charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault Child, a First Degree Felony Enhanced, which means he faces 15-99 years behind bars with a previous conviction of murder. Ramos has been coordinating with his court-appointed attorney in English, but this morning, he used his “inability to speak English” as a reason for not being able to correspond with the attorney. He also refused an interpreter and requested a court-appointed Spanish-speaking attorney, which he was granted. This caused the case to be postponed once again until February, but it has been placed on a priority setting.

Hernandez also used this excuse earlier this week at his court proceeding where he was being charged with Deadly Conduct and Burglary. He was caught at a residence in the 1700 block of Loganwood Dr. where he shot a gun through the house and committed burglary in a three-piece suit. During his court proceeding, he claimed he couldn’t speak English either and requested an interpreter. However, he too had been previously corresponding in English, and his case was also postponed.