Court Interpreters Program

Common Questions:
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1. What is the Judicial Council of California's role in the current Court Interpreter Program?
2. Which Judicial Council panel oversees the court interpreters program?
3. How can courts identify certified court interpreters and registered interpreters of nondesignated languages?

1. What is the Judicial Council of California's role in the current court interpreter program?

Ensuring equal access to the courts has been and continues to be a priority of the Judicial Council. The council, effective January 1, 1993, has been mandated to certify and register court interpreters (Sen. Bill 1304; Stats. 1992, ch. 770). Specifically, the statute requires the council to:

• Designate the languages for which certification programs shall be established;
• Approve one or more entities to certify Spanish-language interpreters and interpreters for as many other languages as the council designates;
• Give provisional approval to an entity to examine interpreters while final approval of one or more certification entities is pending;
• Adopt and publish guidelines, standards, and procedures to determine which certification entities will be approved to test and certify interpreters;
• Adopt standards and requirements for interpreter proficiency, continuing education, certification renewal, and discipline;
• Adopt standards of professional conduct for court interpreters;
• Adopt programs for interpreter recruiting, training, and continuing education and evaluation to ensure that an adequate number of interpreters are available and that they interpret competently; and
• Conduct a study of language and interpreter use and need in court proceedings and report to the Governor and the Legislature every five years.

2. Which Judicial Council panel oversees the court interpreters program?

In June 1993 Chief Justice Malcolm M. Lucas appointed the Judicial Council Court Interpreters Advisory Panel. The panel is responsible for assisting the council in implementing the legislation that in 1993 created programs to improve interpreter recruiting, training, testing, certification, renewals, continuing education, and performance evaluation (Stats. 1992, ch. 770; Gov. Code, § 68560 et seq.). The advisory panel membership represents a diversity of languages, courts, geographic regions, and interests.

3. How can courts identify certified court interpreters and registered interpreters of nondesignated languages?

The Judicial Council maintains a list of certified and registered interpreters from which courts can make their selection. Certified and registered interpreters receive identification badges, which they must wear during all court interpreting assignments.

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