Language Access

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Benchmarks: Weights and Trends

Number Question Index Weight Issues Number of "Yes" States
1 Rely on an official process to issue a certification of court interpreters? 5 Certification 42
2 Require the use of certified court interpreters when they are available? 5 Certification 32
3 Hold a training event in the past 12 months for judges on how to work with interpreters? 1 Guidance for Judges and Court Staff 31
4 Hold a training event in the past 12 months for court staff (other than judges) on how to work with interpreters? 1 Guidance for Judges and Court Staff 28
5 On the state judiciary website, notify litigants that interpreting is available in all matters without charge to the litigant? 10 Website 18
6 Notify litigants on the state judiciary website in languages (other than English) that are commonly spoken in the state courts that interpreting is available in all matters without charge to the litigant? 5 Website 12
7 Require that clerks counters in areas in which a significant number of people speak languages other than English have present during all hours of operation certified interpreters (where available) or bilingual staff, fluent in commonly spoken languages? 5 Interpreting Outside Courtroom 6
8 Maintain a Language Access Plan to ensure that in areas in which a significant number of people speak languages other than English, clerk counter staff have resources available to assist with communication with LEP litigants? 10 Interpreting Outside Courtroom 30
9 Require that self-help centers in areas in which a significant number of people speak languages other than English have present during all hours of operation either certified interpreters (where available) or bilingual staff fluent in commonly spoken languages? 5 Interpreting Outside Courtroom 1
10 Maintain a Language Access Plan that describes the resources that court self-help centers are expected to make available to assist with communication with LEP litigants? 1 Interpreting Outside Courtroom 12
11 Provide on the state judiciary website, instructions to self-represented litigants in languages other than English commonly spoken by litigants? 5 Translation 26
12 Explain on the state judiciary website the cases for which the state will provide certified interpreters, in the languages other than English that are commonly spoken by litigants? 1 Translation 15
13 Explain on the state judiciary website in the languages other than English that are commonly spoken by litigants how court users may file a complaint regarding court interpreters (or other language access problems)? 1 Translation 9
14.1.1 Require certified interpreters (where available) for LEP parties in divorce cases? 1 Certified Interpreting 21
14.1.2 Require certified interpreters (where available) for LEP parties in custody cases? 1 Certified Interpreting 23
14.1.3 Require certified interpreters (where available) for LEP parties in child support cases? 1 Certified Interpreting 22
14.1.4 Require certified interpreters (where available) for LEP parties in spousal support cases? 1 Certified Interpreting 21
14.1.5 Require certified interpreters (where available) for LEP parties in domestic violence cases? 1 Certified Interpreting 24
14.1.6 Require certified interpreters (where available) for LEP parties in permanent neglect of a child cases? 1 Certified Interpreting 25
14.1.7 Require certified interpreters (where available) for LEP parties in temporary neglect of a child cases? 1 Certified Interpreting 24
14.1.8 Require certified interpreters (where available) for LEP parties in debt collection cases? 1 Certified Interpreting 17
14.1.9 Require certified interpreters (where available) for LEP parties in landlord/tenant cases? 1 Certified Interpreting 22
14.1.10 Require certified interpreters (where available) for LEP parties in foreclosure cases? 1 Certified Interpreting 20
14.1.11 Require certified interpreters (where available) for LEP parties in federally subsidized housing cases? 1 Certified Interpreting 18
14.1.12 Require certified interpreters (where available) for LEP parties in public housing cases? 1 Certified Interpreting 18
14.2.1 Prohibit requiring payment (including fees, costs, or other expenses) for court-provided interpreters in divorce cases? 1 Certified Interpreting 23
14.2.2 Prohibit requiring payment (including fees, costs, or other expenses) for court-provided interpreters in custody cases? 1 Free Interpreting 24
14.2.3 Prohibit requiring payment (including fees, costs, or other expenses) for court-provided interpreters in child support cases? 1 Free Interpreting 24
14.2.4 Prohibit requiring payment (including fees, costs, or other expenses) for court-provided interpreters in spousal support cases? 1 Free Interpreting 22
14.2.5 Prohibit requiring payment (including fees, costs, or other expenses) for court-provided interpreters in domestic violence cases? 1 Free Interpreting 26
14.2.6 Prohibit requiring payment (including fees, costs, or other expenses) for court-provided interpreters in permanent neglect of a child cases? 1 Free Interpreting 26
14.2.7 Prohibit requiring payment (including fees, costs, or other expenses) for court-provided interpreters in temporary neglect of a child cases? 1 Free Interpreting 26
14.2.8 Prohibit requiring payment (including fees, costs, or other expenses) for court-provided interpreters in debt collection cases? 1 Free Interpreting 18
14.2.9 Prohibit requiring payment (including fees, costs, or other expenses) for court-provided interpreters in landlord/tenant cases? 1 Free Interpreting 22
14.2.10 Prohibit requiring payment (including fees, costs, or other expenses) for court-provided interpreters in foreclosure cases? 1 Free Interpreting 20
14.2.11 Prohibit requiring payment (including fees, costs, or other expenses) for court-provided interpreters in federally subsidized housing cases? 1 Free Interpreting 18
14.2.12 Prohibit requiring payment (including fees, costs, or other expenses) for court-provided interpreters in public housing cases? 1 Free Interpreting 19
15 Describe on the state judiciary website, in languages (other than English) commonly spoken by litigants, the availability of self-help forms? 5 Translation 23
16 Make electronic forms available on the state judiciary website in languages (other than English) commonly spoken by self-represented litigants? 5 Translation 30

Benchmarks by State