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    Wisconsin Lawyer
    February 01, 2001

    Wisconsin Lawyer February 2001: Speaking from Experience

    Speaking from Experience

    The Minnesota Court Interpreter Program has existed since 1994. With 38 certified interpreters in three languages now serving the courts, court personnel have come to recognize the benefits of qualified interpreters, says coordinator Helen Boddy. "They see that the court proceedings go much more smoothly and much faster," she says. "And whether they can tell or not, the interpretations are certainly more accurate."



    Minnesota's rules require the court to make a "diligent effort" to hire a certified interpreter, which means looking beyond the local area and postponing a hearing, if necessary, until a certified interpreter arrives. "For a while, when we started the program, people from the courts were skeptical whether it was worth the expense and hassle of finding a certified interpreter," Boddy notes. "But we've evolved to the point that enough judges and court personnel have used certified interpreters, and they have seen the difference. They also understand this means less risk of miscarriage of justice."

    State funding will be key in spurring even wider use of certified interpreters, Boddy says. Currently, the state's 87 counties pay for interpreters out of their own budgets, which poses a hardship for rural counties that must bring in interpreters from long distances. State funding would eliminate that hurdle, Boddy believes. This year the Minnesota Legislature will consider moving toward state funding of all trial court expenses, including interpreter services.

    As judges and court personnel recognize the benefits of certified interpreters, they increasingly insist on hiring only those with certification. In turn, that has motivated more interpreters to seek the required training. "The incentive has trickled down," Boddy points out. "The interpreters and interpreter agencies have gotten the message that if they want to work in the courts, they'd better fulfill the requirements."


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