Court Interpreting Services: 16th Circuit Florida Administration

Florida courts are ensuring access for all with a robust foreign language interpreter program.

Access to justice is a cornerstone of the legal system, and for those who don’t speak English or are hearing impaired, qualified interpreters are crucial. The Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court Interpreter Program steps in to bridge this communication gap. This program provides essential services to ensure non-English speakers and hearing-impaired individuals can fully participate in courtroom proceedings.

Did you know?-Florida law requires courts to provide interpreters for individuals who do not proficiently understand English, ensuring equal access to the legal process.

Qualified Interpreters Crucial for Fair Hearings

The program operates under Florida Statutes 90.606 and 90.6063,along with Rule 2.560 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Governance. For individuals with hearing impairments, sign language interpreters are also provided, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Court interpreters are tasked with accurately translating verbal and written communications between languages during judicial matters. Their role is to facilitate impartial communication,not to advocate or perform clerical duties for any party.

These interpreters are considered Officers of the Court. Thay adhere to a strict code of ethics and maintain professional standards. Importantly, the confidentiality that exists between an attorney and a client extends to court interpreters. Any information they handle remains private.

Pro tip:-Court interpreters are neutral and cannot offer legal advice or explain legal terms to parties involved in a case. Their role is strictly translation.

Statewide Program Assesses Interpreter Qualifications

The State Courts System has established a statewide initiative to help judges and trial court administrators evaluate the skills of court interpreters. Through the Court Interpreter Certification and Regulation Program, interpreters are designated based on their performance in written and oral language proficiency exams.

Currently, the Office of the State Courts administrator (OSCA) offers complete oral examinations in a variety of languages. These include Arabic, Cantonese, French, Haitian Creole, Hmong, ilocano, Khmer, korean, Laotian, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, somali, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. State certification for interpreters began on May 6, 2008. Later, on May 1, 2014, designations for “Language Skilled” and “Provisionally Approved” interpreters were introduced.

For further details, information is available at flcourts.org/resources-and-services/court-services/court-interpreters.stml.

Reader question:-How can the court system ensure the quality and impartiality of interpreters,especially with a wide range of languages needed?