In Support of National Court Interpreter Legislation
Resolution 11In Support of National Court Interpreter Legislation
The growing diversity of the United States is increasingly reflected in the changing needs of people appearing in state courts, which handle more than 95 percent of the nation's litigation. As a result, courts are serving more individuals who are not fluent in English.
To ensure meaningful justice for these individuals, interpreter services must be readily available to help them understand and participate in court proceedings. Interpreters must not only have strong general language skills but also specialized knowledge of legal terminology and court processes.
State courts have played a vital role in developing training programs and tools for court interpreters. However, the demand for such services continues to rise alongside the number of languages spoken and individuals requiring assistance, significantly increasing associated costs.
The Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators believe that the federal government has a responsibility to support state courts in meeting these challenges.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conferences urge Congress to establish a national program to assist state courts in providing interpreter services. This program should follow the successful model of the Court Improvement Program used for abuse and neglect cases, offering structure and funding to enhance access to justice.
Adopted as proposed by the Joint CCJ/COSCA Access to and Fairness in the Courts Committee at the Annual Meeting on July 31, 2003.