LEXINGTON — The state Department of Public Advocacy is trying to make sure every Hispanic person knows his or her rights when facing prosecution or serving time in a correctional facility.

        The department, which provides public defenders for indigent people, is creating Spanish-language materials, such as appointment cards, key chain tags and brochures, for clients.

        “Most English-speaking clients have a fair amount of trouble with how the legal system works, and it's magnified with those who don't,” speak English, said Tanya Dickinson, assistant director of the department's law operations division.

        Each year, public advocacy handles more than 110,000 cases. Although the department does not track its Hispanic cases, the number is growing each year, Ms. Dickinson said.

        “They (Hispanics) don't know what the rights are,” said Robert Rodriguez, a volunteer lawyer with the Maxwell Street Legal Clinic, a group that provides free legal advice. “They don't know you don't have to say anything and you can obtain legal public representation for free.”

        One side of the appointment cards contains the name and phone number of the attorney and the date and time of the next appointment. The other side provides information about the person's rights, including directions not to speak to anyone about the case. The key chain states that each person has the right to a public defender.

        Brochures include an introductory pamphlet explaining the purpose of the Department of Public Advocacy and how cases move through Kentucky's criminal justice system. Department personnel are also translating post-conviction packets with short two- and three-page manuals for people in jail, discussing how to write their own legal motions.

        The translated materials were distributed to public defenders in late November.

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