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USE OF INTERPRETERS FOR LANGUAGE-DISABLED PERSONS INVOLVED IN FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS - JUDICIAL BRANCH

NCJ Number
60119
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1977
Length
53 pages
Annotation
THE USE OF INTERPRETERS IN FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS AND PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY LANGUAGE-DISABLED PERSONS INVOLVED IN SUCH PROCEEDINGS ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
FEDERAL AND STATE STATUTES DEALING WITH THE ISSUE OF INTERPRETER SERVICES WERE ANALYZED. VISITS WERE MADE TO 10 CITIES IN 4 STATES TO OBTAIN DATA IN THESE AREAS: (1) PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY LANGUAGE-DISABLED PERSONS; (2) NEED FOR INTERPRETERS; AND (3) WAYS IN WHICH INTERPRETERS ARE QUALIFIED, SELECTED, AND USED. INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED WITH ABOUT 300 PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS, INCLUDING JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, COURT ADMINISTRATORS, PUBLIC DEFENDERS, BILINGUAL ATTORNEYS, INTERPRETERS, AND COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP REPRESENTATIVES. INSUFFICIENT DATA ON THE ROLE AND USE OF INTERPRETERS WERE REPORTED MAKING DETERMINATION OF THE EXISTENCE OF A SERIOUS PROBLEM IMPOSSIBLE. TO INSURE THAT THE RIGHT OF DEFENDANTS TO A FAIR TRIAL IS ADEQUATELY PROTECTED BY ALL COURTS, HOWEVER, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT EFFORTS MAY BE NEEDED TO DEVELOP A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM OR OTHER PROCEDURE REQUIRING THAT INTERPRETERS, ESPECIALLY IN TRIALS INVOLVING SERIOUS CRIMINAL OFFENSES, DEMONSTRATE A MINIMUM LEVEL OF COMPETENCE AND UNIFORM CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING WHEN AN INTERPRETER SHOULD BE PROVIDED. CONGRESS SHOULD CONSIDER THESE MATTERS IN ANY LEGISLATION ADDRESSING NEEDS OF LANGUAGE-DISABLED PERSONS INVOLVED IN JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS. LEGAL PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO COURT INTERPRETERS AND DIFFERENCES IN STEPS TAKEN TO PROVIDE INTERPRETER SERVICES (APPOINTMENT GUIDELINES SELECTION CRITERIA, AND INTERPRETING PROCEDURES) ARE ADDRESSED. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE USE OF INTERPRETERS FOR LANGUAGE-DISABLED PERSONS IS APPENDED. (DEP)