Via press release on January 23, 2025, the Commission celebrated the decision of the Pennsylvania Superior Court, issued on January 15, 2025, to publish its opinion in Ortega v. Henriquez, thus designating it as legally binding and precedential. The case involves significant concerns regarding language access and procedural fairness in the Commonwealth’s justice system.
The Superior Court elected to publish the opinion following a successful motion by MidPenn Legal Services, which the Commission supported. In doing so, the Court enhanced judicial accountability and upheld the rights of court users in need of language services.
Check out our press release to learn more about the case and its impact on equal access to our courts!