AURORA | Interpreter fees imposed on defendants who miss city court jury trials are going to more than double, while some city council members think the hike is discriminatory.
“I remain concerned that this increases a fee that specifically only applies to people who need interpretation,” Councilmember Alison Coombs said. “We should be looking at fees that apply to any person who fails to appear, rather than penalizing individuals based on language.”
The fee, essentially a fine, for people who fail to appear for a jury trial in Aurora’s municipal court that requires a translator will now go from $35 to $90, but the judge does have the ability to waive the fee if the individual is considered indigent or if there are extenuating circumstances, according to Candace Atkinson, Aurora court administrator…