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."
Wisconsin Lawyer