P. v. Mehari
Defendant Merhawi Y. Mehari, driving a stolen car, led police on a chase through Walnut Creek before crashing into a fence. A jury convicted him of unlawfully taking or driving a vehicle and evading an officer. (Veh. Code, §§ 10851, 2800.1.) He was sentenced to prison for eight years, with presentence credit of 199 days.
Prior to trial, defendant asked for a translator. The trial court denied the request. On appeal, defendant argues that reversal is required because the trial court erroneously denied his request for the assistance of an interpreter without making an adequate inquiry. He also argues he is entitled to additional conduct credits under the current version of Penal Code section 4019[1] as a matter of equal protection. We affirm the judgment, because the record does not affirmatively demonstrate defendant needed an interpreter, and a rational basis supports the prospective application of section 4019 for awarding credits.
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