Court & Hearings

Is the court required to provide an interpreter?

Yes. In civil and criminal cases, the court is required to provide an interpreter for one of the following:

• Plaintiff A person or party that starts a lawsuit ,
• Defendant The person or organization being sued in a lawsuit ,
• Victim, or
• Witness A person who answers questions in court under oath .

To get an interpreter, the person or their lawyer Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice can request an order for an interpreter. If there is no request, the judge may still appoint an interpreter. 

When you get to a courtroom, you must tell the court clerk, court coordinator, or judge that you need an interpreter. Also, let them know what language you speak. Most courthouses can provide interpreters on a daily basis for the more commonly requested languages, like:

• Spanish,
• Polish, and
• American Sign Language.

For less common languages, the court will need to arrange for an interpreter before the court date.

Who qualifies for an interpreter?

Anyone who has limited English proficiency can get an interpreter. This means someone who:

• Speaks a language other than English as their primary language,
• Has a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English, and
• Needs an interpreter to be able to speak in a court case.

Who pays for the interpreter?

You do not have to pay for an interpreter. The court will pay for one.

What if I don't get effective language assistance from the court?

If you think you have not been provided effective language assistance for any court or probation A criminal court sentence which releases a person into the community. They are under supervision and given certain conditions. proceeding or other service provided by the court, you can submit a complaint.