Is the court required to provide an interpreter?

Yes. In civil and criminal cases, the court is required to provide an interpreter for one of the following:

• Plaintiff,
• Defendant,
• Victim, or
• Witness.

To get an interpreter, the person or their lawyer can request an order for an interpreter. If there is no request, the judge may still appoint an interpreter. 

When you get to a courtroom, you must tell the court clerk, court coordinator, or judge that you need an interpreter. Also, let them know what language you speak. Most courthouses can provide interpreters on a daily basis for the more commonly requested languages, like:

• Spanish,
• Polish, and
• American Sign Language.

For less common languages, the court will need to arrange for an interpreter before the court date.

Who qualifies for an interpreter?

Anyone who has limited English proficiency can get an interpreter. This means someone who:

• Speaks a language other than English as their primary language,
• Has a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English, and
• Needs an interpreter to be able to speak in a court case.

Who pays for the interpreter?

You do not have to pay for an interpreter. The court will pay for one.