Interpreters are provided for trial court
proceedings in criminal cases and juvenile delinquency proceedings
under Welfare & Institutions Code Section 602 et seq. pursuant to
California Rule of Court 2.893.The California Constitution mandates
that a person unable to understand English who is charged with a crime
has a right to an interpreter throughout the proceedings. Courts must
provide specially trained language interpreters for witnesses,
victims, and defendants who understand little or no English. This
mandate has been broadened to include juvenile delinquency, certain
civil and family law matters involving a protective order, and child
custody and visitation proceedings. Persons who are deaf or hard of
hearing are entitled to an interpreter for all court proceedings,
whether criminal or civil. Because of the high number of Spanish
speaking defendants in traffic court, the Court usually provides an
interpreter for traffic hearings as well. The cost of mandatory court
interpreters is borne by the Court.
Often, the need for a court interpreter is not known until the first
court hearing. Following an examination of a defendant, party or
witness, the Court may determine that the individual does not
understand English or does not speak English well enough to be
understood by the Court, counsel and the jury. The Interpreter
Coordinator then makes arrangements to have an interpreter present in
Court for the next hearing date.
If you need to speak with someone before you come to court, to call
265-1311
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