Language barrier prompts request for new attorney

EAU CLAIRE — Usually, when a defendant in court asks for a new attorney, it’s because they don’t see eye to eye. On Tuesday, an Eau Claire man asked for one because they literally can’t speak the same language.

Alberto Flores-Reyes faces charges of second degree sexual assault and incest. Court records show he asked the court for a new attorney during Tuesday’s hearing because of a language barrier. Flores-Reyes speaks Spanish, but his attorney does not.

The request was denied. Judge Sarah Harless said there’s only one defense attorney in the county who speaks Spanish, and that person isn’t fluent. Karl Schmidt, Flores-Reyes’ attorney, told Harless he will use an interpreter and “will meet with the defendant in jail soon.”

According to the criminal complaint filed in the case, a young relative told investigators Flores-Reyes had inappropriately touched her multiple times and had sex with her once.

When Flores-Reyes was asked about the allegations, he initially denied them. He later admitted he had “succumbed to the situation,” painting the girl as the one who sought sex with him. When pressed by investigators he said he thought she was 14 or 15.

He is next due in court on June 7.