About language access and interpreter certification
The Indiana Supreme Court is committed to providing meaningful, fair, and effective language access in Indiana courts. From the early work of the Indiana Supreme Court Commission on Race and Gender Fairness, which led the Indiana judiciary to develop a statewide court interpreter certification system, to the current initiatives of the Language Access Advisory Committee (formerly known as the Language Access Task Force), the Indiana judicial branch is working to improve access to the state courts for limited English proficient (LEP) individuals and those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Limited English proficiency (LEP) means the inability to adequately understand or communicate effectively in English. According to the latest census data, there are about 200,000 Hoosiers who are LEP. These individuals most likely will request a court interpreter in their native language to provide interpreting services during court proceedings.
The Indiana Office of Judicial Administration (IOJA) continues to develop policies, best practices, and implementing training for judges, attorneys, and court managers. This will create an environment where everyone involved knows the role and function of an interpreter and the proper manner to conduct interpreted proceedings in the courtroom.
Do you have a need for court-certified interpreters? ODEI manages the Language Access program, which certifies interpreters, maintains the statewide interpreter registry, and offers state-funded grants for courts to hire interpreters. Courts are responsible for providing an interpreter under many circumstances and should explore all feasible options to hire a court-certified interpreter before using an interpreter who is not court-certified or qualified. Our office also provides training on finding and collaborating with interpreters, developing a local language access plan, and no-cost Spanish training for court staff through Ivy Tech.
Since 2002, the Court Interpreter Certification Program has improved the quality and increased the number of court interpreters available to work in Indiana courts. The state currently has 180+ certified/qualified interpreters. The Language Access Advisory Committee provides guidance to the program and developed the Indiana judicial branch’s Language Access Plan. The Indiana Supreme Court also has provided every court in Indiana with a telephone interpretation service called Language Line for emergency use, that can interpret in over 250 different languages.