Attacking Bias in the Justice System: A Compendium of Program Alternatives

VII. COURT INTERPRETERS There should be a certification program in place to ensure the proper training of court interpreters in commonly spoken languages and they should be available for non-English speaking court users at every phase of the justice system. ACTION STEPS VII(a) Court interpreters or interpretation services need to be made available throughout every phase of the justice system and not just in criminal cases. VII(b) Litigation lawyers need to be trained on the importance, and the need for, interpreters throughout every phase of a case. VII(c) Court interpreter services manuals should be developed. VII(d) Victims of crime should be provided court interpreters. VII(e) Uniform standards and certification of interpreters should be developed and adopted. VII(f) The latest information technology advances should be explored in an effort to make interpretation services more readily available throughout every phase of the justice system and not just in criminal cases.

Cover Introduction Acknowledgements Judicial Education Employee Education Criminal Justice Juvenile and Family Issues Jury Issues Complaint Mechanisms Court Interpreters Judicial System Diversification Court Functions and Services Legislative Impact Review Resources