Com. v. Sor, K. - Criminal Appeal
Summary
The Superior Court of Pennsylvania affirmed the judgment of sentence for Appellant Krim Sor, who was convicted of multiple sexual offenses against his daughters. The court addressed Appellant's argument regarding the failure to appoint a foreign-language interpreter.
What changed
The Superior Court of Pennsylvania issued a non-precedential decision affirming the judgment of sentence for Appellant Krim Sor. Sor was convicted of multiple offenses including attempted rape of a child and rape of a child, and was sentenced to 22 to 44 years incarceration. The appeal focused on whether the trial court abused its discretion by failing to appoint a foreign-language interpreter after Sor expressed difficulties with English.
The court affirmed the trial court's decision, finding no abuse of discretion. This case highlights the importance of proper inquiry into a defendant's language proficiency and the appellate review process for such claims. Legal professionals involved in criminal appeals should note the specific arguments raised and the court's reasoning for affirmation.
What to do next
- Review appellate court's reasoning on interpreter appointment for potential impact on future cases.
- Ensure adequate procedures are in place for assessing defendant's language proficiency in criminal proceedings.
Penalties
22 to 44 years incarceration, followed by three years of reporting probation.
Source document (simplified)
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by Olson](https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/10804401/com-v-sor-k/about:blank#o1)
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March 5, 2026 Get Citation Alerts Download PDF Add Note
Com. v. Sor, K.
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
- Citations: None known
- Docket Number: 608 EDA 2025
- Precedential Status: Non-Precedential
Judges: Olson
Combined Opinion
by [Judith Ference Olson](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8241/judith-ference-olson/)
J-S47022-25
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
KRIM SOR :
:
Appellant : No. 608 EDA 2025
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered September 23, 2024
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-51-CR-0004610-2023
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
KRIM SOR :
:
Appellant : No. 609 EDA 2025
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered September 23, 2024
In the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Criminal Division at
No(s): CP-51-CR-0004603-2023
BEFORE: PANELLA, P.J.E., OLSON, J., and BECK, J.
MEMORANDUM BY OLSON, J.: FILED MARCH 5, 2026
Appellant, Krim Sor, appeals from the judgment of sentence entered
September 23, 2024, as made final by the denial of his post-sentence motion
on January 30, 2025. We affirm.
On July 6, 2023, Appellant was charged with various offenses related to
his sexual abuse of D.S. and K.S., his biological daughters. On April 15, 2024,
following a jury trial, Appellant was convicted of attempted rape of a child,
J-S47022-25
attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse (“IDSI”) with a child, rape
of a child, IDSI with a child, indecent assault of a person under the age of 13,
aggravated indecent assault of a child, two counts of unlawful contact with a
minor, corruption of a minor, and endangering the welfare of a child. 1 On
September 23, 2024, the trial court sentenced Appellant to 22 to 44 years’
incarceration, followed by three years of reporting probation. Appellant filed
a post-sentence motion October 2, 2024, which the trial court denied on
January 30, 2025. This timely appeal followed.
On appeal, Appellant raises the following issue for our consideration:
Did the trial court abuse its discretion in failing to appoint a
foreign-language interpreter where the [trial court] failed to
conduct an adequate inquiry into Appellant’s understanding of
the English language after [Appellant] expressed deficits in such
understanding?
Appellant’s Brief at 1.
We have reviewed the briefs of the parties, the relevant law, the certified
record, and the opinion of the able trial court judge, the Honorable Anthony
G. Kyriakakis. We conclude that Appellant is not entitled to relief in this case
for the reasons expressed in Judge Kyriakakis’s April 28, 2025 opinion. 2
1 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 901(a) and 3121(c), 901(a) and 3123(b), 3121(c), 3123(b),
3126(a)(7), 3125(b), 6318(a)(1), 6301(a)(1)(ii), and 4304(a)(1),
respectively.
2 The trial court reasoned that Appellant’s claim was waived or, alternatively,
devoid of merit. Initially, the court noted that neither Appellant nor trial
counsel asked for the services of an interpreter before or during trial. See
Trial Court Opinion, 4/28/25, at 3-4. In fact, no objection was raised until
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
-2-
J-S47022-25
Therefore, we affirm based on Judge Kyriakakis’s opinion and adopt it as our
own. In any future filing with this or any other court addressing this ruling,
the filing party shall attach copies of Judge Kyriakakis’s April 25, 2025 opinion.
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Date: 3/5/2026
after Appellant’s trial had concluded. Id. at 3. Furthermore, the court
observed that Appellant was 57 years old at the time of trial and had lived in
the United States for 41 years. Id. at 4. During a pretrial colloquy, Appellant
stated he did not need an interpreter and trial counsel confirmed there was
no need of such services. See id. at 4. Under these circumstances we
perceive no grounds for finding an abuse of discretion. See Commonwealth
v. Pana, 364 A.2d 895, 898 (Pa. 1976) (“The decision to use an interpreter
rests in the sound discretion of the trial judge.”).
-3-
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