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Court Interpreters and Language Access

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Registration Now Open!
The Judicial Council of California has announced that registration has opened for examinations to certify Court Interpreters to assist non-English speakers. Exams will be administered from July 13, 2023 to September 22, 2023. For more information on how to become a Court Interpreter, please visit: https://www.courts.ca.gov/programs-interpreters.htm

Interpreter Services

The Court provides multilingual interpretation and general language services in court proceedings to ensure meaningful participation in the judicial court process for individuals with limited English proficiency. In doing so, the Court promotes equal access to justice to ensure that court procedures are fair and understandable for court users from diverse cultural backgrounds.

In the Courtroom

To ask for an interpreter for your hearing, fill out the MC-300e&s Interpreter Request and give the completed form to any window clerk or courtroom clerk. Alternatively, you can email the completed form to Interpreter Services at intrps@contracosta.courts.ca.gov. The Court will make every effort to provide a qualified interpreter for all the court hearings.

NOTE: You will need to submit a new form for each new hearing.

Please make your request for an interpreter as soon as possible. If you wait until your court date, you may have to wait until an interpreter can be contacted or your matter may be continued to a later date.

The Court will provide a state certified or state registered interpreter. Because there is a shortage of certified/registered interpreters statewide, the court may sometimes provide a provisionally qualified interpreter (non-certified, non-registered). If no interpreter is available at the time of your hearing, your case may be continued.

Please note: Interpreters do not help parties fill out or file their forms. They cannot give you legal advice, answer your questions or explain what is happening in court. They can only interpret your questions so that the judge or others can answer them.


At the Clerk's Office

Telephone interpretation in many languages is available at our filing windows and during facilitator drop-in hours.

What if I need an interpreter that speaks sign language?

The court will provide you with a sign language interpreter for any court proceeding you may have. The court will also provide you with a sign language interpreter if you are called for jury duty. Please tell a clerk at the counter or in the courtroom as soon as possible if you will need a sign language interpreter. For more information on this and other Access and Accommodation needs please visit the American with Disabilities (ADA) page.


How to Become a Court Interpreter

Learn more about California’s Court Interpreter Program (CIP) and how to become an interpreter.

Filing a Complaint with the Court Interpreters Program About a California Court Interpreter

You may file a complaint regarding a specific California court interpreter with the Judicial Council of California if you believe a certified or registered interpreter has:

  • Violated Rule of Court 2.890, Professional conduct for interpreters.
  • Is unable to interpret competently in English and/or in the language being interpreted.
  • Committed acts of wrongdoing or behaved unethically.

Instructions and forms for filing your complaint can be found at: https://languageaccess.courts.ca.gov/about/contact-us/court-interpreters-complaints.

How do I provide comments or suggestions to the court?

Comment cards are available in every court location in English and Spanish. You may complete a comment card, include a note that you would like to be contacted by the Language Access Representative, and give the completed card to any clerk, or drop it in any mailbox.


LANGUAGE ACCESS

Language Access Representative

Our Court's Language Access Representative is the Interpreter Coordinator. You can contact the Interpreter Coordinator by email at: intrps@contracosta.courts.ca.gov or by telephone at (925) 608-2069. You may print the Language Access Services Comment Form and submit it to any court clerk or email it to the Court's Language Access Representative.

The Court takes all complaints about language access very seriously and will address concerns in an appropriate manner. Please be aware that the Language Access Representative does not have the authority to change or modify any decision made by a judicial officer and that its review of the complaint does not, in any way, affect or extend any applicable deadlines or procedural requirements such as filing motions, appeals, modifications, etc.

The Limited English Proficiency Plan describes language access policies and services available at the Court, consistent with the Strategic Plan for Language Access in the California Courts.



Language Access in Court-Ordered Services

Pursuant to Califoria Rule of Court 1.300 the Court is working to ensure Limited English Proficient (LEP) litigants have access to services provided directly by the court to the same extent as litigants who are English proficient.

Litigants

If a court-ordered service is provided by court personnel, language assistance will be made available to LEP litigants. If a court-ordered service is provided by a social services agency or other entity under contract with the Court, the Court will obtain assurances from the agency or entity that it will provide language assistance to LEP litigants. If the Court has ordered you to participate in a private program, service, or with a professional that is not language accessible to you, you may inform the Court of this in writing.

If you are unable to access language assistance or an alternative private program, service, or professional as ordered by the Court, or you are unable to complete them within the court-ordered time frame, you may submit Form LA-400: Service Not Available in My Language: Request to Change Court Order. The Court may respond by entering an alternative order or extending the deadline for completion.

Community Partners

Private programs, services, and professionals that would like to be included on the Court’s informational list may confirm in writing to the Court annually that they offer language services. If you are a justice partner or community service provider, you can use Form LA-350 to inform the Court of services provided, language(s) available and types of language assistance. Complete the form and email it to our Language Access Coordinator at: intrps@contracosta.courts.ca.gov.


Resource Links

State Language Access Information Page

Payment Policies for Independent Contractor Interpreters