Courts should review existing information and collect new information, where necessary, to understand current court practices in the following areas

1.   What information already exists (e.g., in a database) or could be obtained (e.g., in a questionnaire or interviews with staff and court users) regarding the adequacy of the court’s current interpreter and other language services? Does the court track the type and frequency of language services needed by the community?

2.   What are the current state guidelines for appointing interpreters?  Do state laws dictate when courts are absolutely required to provide interpretation and other language services (e.g., by case type)? Are there other guidelines for appointing interpreters?

3.   What is known about the quality of language services? Are there ethical standards and testing procedures for interpreters? Does the state actively recruit, train, and certify interpreters?

4.   Do judges and court staff understand what language services resources they have available to them? How are they informed about the role, responsibilities, availability, and necessary qualifications of interpreters? Are rosters of qualified interpreters maintained?

5.   How does the court manage interpreter services? Are court interpreters effectively scheduled so as to eliminate or reduce costs of trial delays and protect against interpreter fatigue?

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   Next Step: Step 2: Determine Changes