Court Issues & Victims’ Rights Paper

Court Issues & Victims’ Rights Paper

CJA/394

05/25/2016

When dealing with legal matters within the court system there are often times that require the need of interpreters to bridge the gap of language barriers that can hinder the process of a case. The impact of the language barriers that can occur can cause number of issues that range from the miscommunication, change in verdicts, and the unknown future of the person that does not understand. In this portion of the paper is the attempt to show what the process is of receiving help with a language barrier and what is involved for the court system to have people as an interpreter.

Language barriers and availability of court-interpreters

Court administrators have had the daunting task of providing the much needed communication connections with people from all places on earth that are English challenged. Some of the main attempts to solve this issue are by using interpreters that are qualified, printed material, and using non-qualified interpreters. When dealing with qualified interpreters there is a level of professionalism and expectation that allows for the court process to run smoothly. Some of the requirements that are in place for qualified interpreters are listed by NAJIT (National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators)

“In addition to near-native fluency in English and another language, and specialized skill in the required modes of interpretation, a judiciary interpreter and/or translator must be knowledgeable about the structure of the court system and the terms of art related to criminal and civil justice settings. A judiciary interpreter must have wide general knowledge (equivalent to at least two years of college-level education); and an extensive vocabulary ranging from formal discourse to colloquialisms and slang. Competence also requires a cooperative and flexible attitude” http://www.najit.org/certification/faq.php

In respect to the use of...