By Megan Burks
California state courts have long provided interpreters to people who are accused of a crime. But when it comes to civil cases where things like custody or restraining orders are decided, the need is not met.
The state is pushing forward this month with a plan to change that.
Last year the legislature passed a law saying the state could create a fund for civil court interpreters. And earlier this year the Judicial Council approved a comprehensive language access plan. But as California Supreme Court Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar told KPBS, there’s a lot of ground still to be covered.
“I always bear in mind that we have 7 million Californians who are limited English speakers,” Cuéllar said. “That’s a staggering number, because if you add the number of limited English speakers in Texas, Florida and New York together you get a similar number.”
He said currently, people often must turn to family and friends for interpretation – if they go to court at all.
Casa Cornelia Law Center in San Diego recruits volunteers from diverse parts of the county like City Heights and trains them to help Casa clients. The interpreter program’s director, Artemisa Valle, said interpretation is more technical that many think.
“In a court setting – or any setting, not just in the court setting – it doesn’t make sense (for loved ones to interpret) because, first of all, they’re not trained, they’re very emotionally involved and objectivity is not there,” Valle said.
The state’s plan for courts includes paying to hire and train more interpreters, and installing technology, translated signage and personnel to help people navigate court buildings and fill out forms.
The plan is not yet funded. State court officials have planned a series of meetings this month to begin building a cadre of volunteers, get local court staff on board, and identify funding.