Court Interpreter and Language Access Services
The Court provides multilingual interpretation and general language services in court proceedings to ensure meaningful participation in the judicial court process for individuals with limited English proficiency. In doing so, the Court promotes equal access to justice to ensure that court procedures are fair and understandable for court users from diverse cultural backgrounds.
In the Courtroom
To ask for an interpreter for your hearing, fill out the INT 300 Form and give the completed form to any window clerk. The Court will make every effort to provide a qualified interpreter for all the court hearings.
NOTE: You will need to submit a new form for each new hearing.
Please make your request for an interpreter as soon as possible. If you wait until your court date, you may have to wait until an interpreter can be contacted or your matter may be continued to a later date.
The Court will provide a state certified or state registered interpreter. Because there is a shortage of certified/registered interpreters statewide, the court may sometimes provide a provisionally qualified interpreter (non-certified, non- registered). If no interpreter is available at the time of your hearing, your case may be continued.
Please note: Interpreters do not help parties fill out or file their forms. They cannot give you legal advice, answer your questions or explain what is happening in court. They can only interpret your questions so that the judge or others can answer them.
At the Clerk's Office
Telephone interpretation in many languages is available at our filing windows and during facilitator drop-in hours.
What if I need an interpreter that speaks sign language?
The court will provide you with a sign language interpreter for any court proceeding you may have. The court will also provide you with a sign language interpreter if you are called for jury duty. Please tell a clerk at the counter or in the courtroom as soon as possible if you will need a sign language interpreter. For more information on this and other Access and Accommodation needs please visit the American with Disabilities (ADA) page.
How to Become a Court Interpreter
Learn more about California's Court Interpreter Program (CIP) and how to become an interpreter.
Filing a Complaint with the Court Interpreters Program About a California Court Interpreter
You may file a complaint regarding a specific California court interpreter with the Judicial Council of California if you believe a certified or registered interpreter has:
- Violated Rule of Court 2.890, Professional conduct for interpreters.
- Is unable to interpret competently in English and/or in the language being interpreted.
- Committed acts of wrongdoing or behaved unethically.
Instructions and forms for filing your complaint can be found at: California Court Interpreter Complaint Form or https://languageaccess.courts.ca.gov/about/contact-us/court-interpreters-complaints.
Language Access Representative
Our Court's Language Access Representative is the Interpreter Coordinator. You may provide comments or submit a complaint by printing the Language Access Services Form and submitting to any court clerk or mailing it to the Court attention Court Interpreter Coordinator. The Court takes all complaints about language access very seriously and will address concerns in an appropriate manner. Please be aware that the Court Interpreter Coordinator does not have the authority to change or modify any decision made by a judicial officer and that its review of the complaint does not, in any way, affect or extend any applicable deadlines or procedural requirements such as filing motions, appeals, modifications, etc.
The Limited English Proficiency Plan describes language access policies and services available at the Court, consistent with the Strategic Plan for Language Access in the California Court.