Supreme Court Seeks Comment on Court Interpreter Rule

The Supreme Court of Ohio will accept public comments until Feb. 23 on a new rule that would require courts to hire a certified foreign language or sign language interpreter, when available, to ensure the “meaningful participation” of deaf and limited English proficient individuals in court proceedings.

Rule 88 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio would also require courts to “use all reasonable efforts” to avoid the appointment of interpreters who may have a conflict of interest.

The Supreme Court began the certification of court interpreters last year when related amendments became effective Jan. 1, 2010. The first group of certified court interpreters will participate in a ceremony on Feb. 1.

The court interpreter rules are designed to provide the most qualified interpreters available given the number of possible languages that may appear in the state court system. Ohio courts accommodate approximately 80 languages and handle more than 25,000 cases per year that require a court interpreter.

Comments on the proposed amendments should be submitted in writing to:

Bruno Romero, Interpreter Services Program manager
Supreme Court of Ohio
65 S. Front St., Sixth Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
or
Bruno.Romero@sc.ohio.gov