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Friday, August 20th, 2010 US DOJ Tells State Courts to Improve Language Access

The Federal Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a memo that requires all state courts to meet federal standards on language access. This could result in significant changes to the way we work, so get informed.

This is especially important as courts in some regions have apparently been trying to restrict our work to criminal court hearings only, telling attorneys to provide their own interpreters for interviews and hallway discussions. Be on the lookout for courts in your region trying to do the same thing. It might seem like a nice relief to our overburdened interpreters, but the intent is to slash jobs and re-direct funds. We encourage each of you to print and share the letter at the link below with our justice partners in the court system. This is a civil rights issue that impacts the basic right of an individual to receive effective council.

Federal Standards for Language Access Apply to State Courts, Says Memo

A letter sent from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) on August 16th to all State Court Administrators and Chief Justices has reminded the Courts that they are responsible for providing the Federal standard of Limited English Proficient (LEP) access to all court functions and services.

(Read the DOJ’s August 16th letter here.)

Federal standards for LEP access require that courts provide interpreters for all court hearings, including civil hearings and administrative proceedings, at no cost to the court user.

The potential impact on California’s Courts is tremendous, as courts are struggling now to even provide adequate interpreter coverage for criminal hearings alone. How this change will be implemented, and on what time line, has yet to be determined.

Read more about the US DOJ’s program for improving language access to all government services in their associated press release.

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