Q. Does
the court system accommodate requests for an interpreter?
A. The court system
provides language interpreters and sign interpreters for non-English speaking
persons and those who are hearing impaired to insure that parties can
clearly understand proceedings and are able to participate in court programs
and services.
Q. What
do I do if I need a foreign language or sign language interpreter for
a court appearance?
A. If you or someone you know needs an interpreter for a court appearance,
you should contact the Chief Clerk's Office of the court in which you
are going to appear. If you do not know how to reach the court, you may
call the Office of Court Interpreting Services at
(646) 386-5670 for a proper referral.
Q. What
foreign language interpreters are available in the court system?
A. The court system
currently employs full-time and part-time interpreters in the following
languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Croatian, Dutch, French,
Greek, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin,
Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Urdu and Woloff.
Where a court does
not have a staff interpreter available, the court system provides foreign
language interpreters by contacting individuals or interpreting services.
Q. What
are a court interpreter's responsibilities?
A. Interpreters must provide an accurate, impartial interpretation of court
proceedings. To insure that interpreters meet these responsibilities,
the court system has set up a number of testing and screening measures
and requires all interpreters to take an official swearing to "discharge
the duties of the position of court interpreter to the best of my ability."
Court Interpreters
are required to observe a code of professional conduct. They are expected
to provide interpreting services in an impartial, accurate and proficient
manner.
Q. How
do court interpreters know there are standards of professional conduct?
A. The standards of
professional conduct and ethical behavior are found and reinforced in
the UCS Court Interpreter Manual and the Court Interpreter Canons of Professional
Responsibility.
Court Interpreters
are also expected to participate in training programs provided by the
court system on ethics, domestic violence and sensitivity to cultural
diversity.
Q. Where may I direct questions concerning court interpreting services?
A. Any question concerning
court interpreting may be directed to the Office of Court Interpreting
Services for response or referral to the appropriate court personnel.
For further information, you may contact the office in writing, by e-mail
or by telephone:
Office of Court Administration
Division of Professional and Court Services
25 Beaver Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10004
(646) 386-5670
courtinterpreter@nycourts.gov |
