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AOC/JC, Resources

Sunday, April 3rd, 2011 Court Interpreter Advisory Panel

The Court Interpreter Advisory Panel (CIAP, pronounced “SEE-app”) is a group of judges, court CEOs and interpreters that advises the Judicial Council on matters relating to interpreters.

Members

2010-11 Roster as of March 11, 2011 in alphabetical order. See full roster with advisors and liaisons [pdf].

  • Hon. Steven K. Austin, Chair
    Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa
  • Ms. Rosa Junqueiro, Vice-Chair
    Court Executive Officer Superior Court of California,
    County of San Joaquin
  • Hon. Susan M. Breall
    Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco
  • Mr. Charles D. Brown
    Certified Court Interpreter
  • Ms. Julie Drucker
    Certified Court Interpreter
  • Hon. James R. Lambden
    Associate Justice of the Court of Appeal First Appellate District, Division Two
  • Ms. Lisa McNaughton
    Staff Court Interpreter Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma
  • Ms. Ratna Sarkar
    Registered Interpreter
  • Mr. Richard Shek
    Certified Court Interpreter
  • Mr. David H. Yamasaki
    Court Executive Officer Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara
  • Ms. Norma Yáñez
    Certified Court Interpreter

Function and Establishment

According to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), on the Court Interpreter Program (CIP) website:

The CIAP was created in 1993 and is responsible for assisting the Judicial Council in enhancing interpreter services provided to the courts and to non-English-speaking parties… The panel makes recommendations to the council on policies and procedures including but not limited to interpreter use and need, certification, registration, and professional conduct… The advisory panel membership represents a diversity of languages, courts, geographic regions, and interests. The Honorable Steven Austin, a judge of the Superior Court of Contra Costa County, serves as chair of the advisory panel. The CIAP holds one in-person meeting and several teleconferences throughout the year.

The CIAP is codified in Government Code section 68565:

(a) The Judicial Council may establish a court interpreters advisory panel to assist the council in performing its duties under this article. The panel shall include a majority of court interpreters and may include judges and court administrators, members of the bar, and others interested in interpreter services in the courts. The panel shall develop operating guidelines and procedures for Judicial Council approval.
(b) The panel shall seek the advice of judges, attorneys, court administrators, court interpreters, providers of legal services, and individuals and organizations representing the interests of foreign language users.
(c) Panel members shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be allowed necessary expenses for travel, board, and lodging incurred in the discharge of their duties under the rules adopted by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board.

As noted in both the AOC description and in Government Code, the CIAP merely recommends policy to the Judicial Council. The CIAP has no direct authority whatsoever.

Filed under AOC/JC, Resources