Even with those efforts, there is work to be done. Gamon said the 8th District, which covers Ottumwa, wants to have a panel discussion for Hispanic residents. That has its own challenges. Advisors told Gamon people probably would not attend a session at the courthouse for cultural reasons. That left the court looking for neutral ground.

Gamon is confident the session will eventually happen, probably sometime this summer. But she’ll keep brushing up on her Spanish regardless.

“They are all entitled to an interpreter, but I would like to know more ... so I can communicate with them,” she said.

Matt Milner can be reached at (641) 683-5359 or via e-mail at mwmilner@mchsi.com