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General Info

INTERPRETER INFORMATION

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INTERPRETERS FOR PARTIES

The Court is required to provide and pay for an interpreter in the following circumstances:

For a defendant with limited English proficiency in criminal, traffic and

infraction matters.

Juvenile delinquency matters, if the minor is charged with a crime.

Juvenile dependency cases, for either a minor or a parent, where an

interpreter is necessary to ensure effective assistance of counsel.

Depending on the availability of limited grant funds, the Court may provide and pay for an interpreter for the following:

Family Law proceedings where one or more of the parties or litigants

is unable to participate fully because of low English proficiency.

Proceedings in which domestic violence protective orders

are being sought.

Proceedings under the Family Code generally.

Proceedings in which elder abuse protective orders have been issued or

are being sought.

Priority is given to domestic violence restraining order proceedings.

INTERPRETERS FOR WITNESSES

In criminal and juvenile proceedings, an interpreter shall be sworn to interpret for a non-English speaking witness, so that the witness can be understood directly by the parties, counsel, court, and jury.

A court-appointed interpreter may be required for witnesses in other case types. As noted above, if funding is available, the Court may provide an interpreter in certain other case types. If funds are not available however, the Court is only responsible for payment of interpreter fees in criminal and juvenile proceedings, or if a fee waiver is granted in another case type.

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INTERPRETERS FOR THE HEARING-IMPAIRED

The Court may provide an interpreter where a hearing impaired party or witness is present and participating in court proceedings. In addition, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the court will provide to hearing-impaired persons a reasonable accommodation that will enable such persons to engage in effective communications in court proceedings. In providing such accommodation, the court shall give primary consideration to the specific accommodation requested by such persons (e.g., a request for a sign language interpreter rather than a mechanical device).

REQUEST AN INTERPRETER

Prior to your hearing, please advise the Court that you will need an interpreter, and state which language needs to be interpreted. An interpreter for subsequent hearings may be requested in Court. If you need an interpreter to communicate with one of the Court Clerks either over the telephone or upon visiting the Court, a Clerk may utilize the interpreter services of the
Language Line to better assist you.

MULTI-LINGUAL RESOURCES

The following web sites contain resources that may be helpful to persons with limited English proficiency.

Forms Available in a Variety of Languages
Resources in Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese
Word Monkey
Other Translation Tools

If you will need an interpreter for basic communication with Court employees, and you are planning a visit to the Courthouse, you may want to print out and bring an I speak…card with you to identify the language that you speak.