What is a court interpreter for non-English speaking persons?
A court interpreter for non-English speaking persons is someone who interprets in court proceedings, such as civil, criminal, domestic relations, juvenile, traffic or other in-court proceedings, for each party, juror or witness who does not understand English. The court interpreter must be able to interpret from English to another language and from the other language into English. The court interpreter is never to summarize a court proceeding. The court interpreter is to be neutral and unbiased, and to never show or express emotions during a court proceeding. The court interpreter must only interpret, and must never provide legal advice or become an advocate for one side or the other in a court proceeding.
What are the appropriate modes for court interpreting?
Simultaneous Interpreting is interpreting at the same time someone is speaking. To be heard by only the person receiving the interpretation.
Consecutive Interpreting is interpreting after the speaker has stopped speaking, and is to be heard by everyone.
Sight Interpreting/Translating is when an interpreter reads a document in one language while interpreting/translating orally into another.
For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:
A court interpreter for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is someone who interprets in court proceedings, such as civil, criminal, domestic relations, juvenile, traffic or other in-court proceedings, for each party, juror or witness who are deaf or hard of hearing. The court interpreter is never to summarize a court proceeding. The court interpreter is to be neutral and unbiased, and to never show or express emotions during a court proceeding. The court interpreter must only interpret, and must never provide legal advice or become an advocate for one side or the other in a court proceeding.
What is the role of a court interpreter?
The court interpreter's role is to completely and accurately interpret or translate what is stated or written. The interpreter is never to alter, omit, or add anything while interpreting or translating. The interpreter is never to summarize what is stated or written. The court interpreter is never to explain the meaning of what is stated or written, nor is the interpreter to provide legal advice or become an advocate for the court or any party.
What is the statutory authority for the court interpreting services for non- English speaking persons?
KRS 30A.410to.435 details the obligation of the Court of Justice to provide interpreting services for various types of court proceedings. Order: Amended Order: Amendments to the Rules of the Administrative Procedures AP Part IX. Procedures for Appointment of Interpreters of the Court of Justice further explain the standards for the appointment, qualifications and duties of interpreters.
What is the statutory authority for the court interpreting services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing?
KRS 30A.410to.435 details the obligation of the Court of Justice to provide interpreting services for various types of court proceedings. Order: Adopting Part IX, Procedures for Appointment of Interpreters of the Administrative Procedures of the Court of Justice further explains the standards for the appointment, qualifications and duties of interpreters.
The KCOJ also must provide qualified interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in order to comply with the standards as set forth in the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. Please refer to the ADA web page 
for more information.
What are the requirements to interpret in Kentucky Court of Justice?
For Spoken Language Court Interpreters:
As of December 1, 2004, the Administrative Office of the Courts established a statewide Certification Policy for Spoken Language Interpreter services to the Kentucky Court of Justice (revised November 2006). The Kentucky Court of Justice requires all spoken language court interpreters to successfully complete the certification process. Interpreters will further be required to meet the continuing education and court observation requirements as noted in the Amended Rules of Administrative Procedures and Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters.
For Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Visual Language Interpreters):
A court interpreter for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing must be fully licensed by the Kentucky Board of License and have the following certification levels:
National Association of the Deaf (NAD): Levels IV and V; and, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID): CSC, IC/TC, SC:L, CI, CT, IC, TC, OIC, and TSC:4. The Interpreter must provide the AOC with proof of your current state license and certification. For more information please refer to the web page of the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing . The Administrative Office of the Courts will also require the interpreter to complete an information form, pass a criminal background check, provide the Administrative Office of the Courts with the appropriate employment eligibility documentation, and complete the continuing education and court observation requirements.
How do I study for the Kentucky Written Exam?
The written test will examine the interpreter candidate's general knowledge of the English language, court terms and procedures. You should begin studying for the written test by reviewing the following materials: the National Center for State Courts Glossary of Legal Terms and the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts Glossary of Legal Terms. It is highly recommended that you also review materials, which provide an overview of the Kentucky government and judicial process by reviewing the Kentucky Court of Justice web page. It is also recommended that you examine the English portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). This material can most likely be found at your local public library.
How do I make a complaint about a court interpreter?
If you have a complaint about a court interpreter's services, you will need to do so in writing. Written complaints will only be processed. The complainant must be an eyewitness of the incident; the complaint shall not be based on hearsay information. The written complaint should list specifically the alleged incident, and include the following: the name of the interpreter, date and time of the alleged incident, the place where the alleged incident took place, and when appropriate the judges name presiding over the case, or the name of the Court of Justice employee requesting the service, case number, type of court proceeding, and charge, and the name of the person needing the interpreting service. The written complaint must also contain the complainant's first and last name (surname), mailing address, and phone number, and be must signed and dated by the complainant.
The complainant will not be kept anonymous from the court interpreter or other interested parties. The written complaint can be requested by the court interpreter or interested parties. The complainant's phone numbers and addresses will be blackened out on the copy given to the court interpreter. If you have a complaint about a court interpreter's services, please mail a written complaint to: Administrative Office of the Courts, Court Interpreting Services Division, 100 Millcreek Park, Frankfort, KY 40601-9230.
When should a court interpreter be appointed or requested?
Judges, Circuit Clerks, Court Administrators, and other Kentucky Court of Justice employees can appoint or request a court interpreter. An interpreter is appointed or requested as soon as the need is known, as specified by statute.
What should be done when an individual does not understand the court interpreter?
If an individual does not understand the assigned court interpreter, another court interpreter will have to be assigned to the case. The person has the legal right to request another interpreter when he/she cannot understand the interpreter.
When does the Administrative Office of the Courts not pay for a court interpreter?
Pursuant to KRS 30A.415 (1,2) the Kentucky Court of Justice is only required to pay for interpreting services that are needed during a court proceeding or for direct services. The Kentucky Court of Justice does not pay for interpreting services for attorneys, public defenders, law enforcement officers, jail officials, social workers from the Cabinet for Families and Children, other state agency employees, or other social or mental health workers. The KCOJ only pays for interpreting services done for the KCOJ or departments within the AOC.