The ongoing demand for language interpreters in courtrooms is growing, with an increased need for the number of credentialed professionals. The Supreme Court recognizes the crucial role interpreters play in ensuring access to justice for all Ohioans and is working to raise the numbers by recruiting bilinguals, increasing testing frequency, and examining language assessment tools to qualify interpreters.

Recently, Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy welcomed court language officials from across the country to the 2024 Conference of the Council of Language Access Coordinators meeting in Cincinnati. The Ohio Supreme Court and the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts jointly sponsored the gathering.

Chief Justice Kennedy shared with conference attendees that Ohio is struggling like most other states to find qualified interpreters for legal proceedings.

“Like many of you, we now see groups from Africa, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and non-English speakers from Europe. And we see the same challenges with finding qualified interpreters to service these immigrant populations,” said Chief Justice Kennedy.

Berry Joesph, chief probation officer for Madison County Court of Common Pleas, became a court interpreter because he recognized the need to assist fellow Haitian immigrants.

Officials in neighboring Clark County estimate more than 5,000 Haitians have settled in Springfield in recent years. So, if someone who is still learning English wants to contest a traffic ticket or settle a civil dispute, they’ll need an interpreter.

“My goal is to help people and give them as many resources as I can, so they don't reoffend. Interpreting is another way I can do that,” said Joseph.

Understanding legal proceedings can be challenging for anyone navigating the court system.

In criminal matters, it is the duty of judges and attorneys to ensure defendants are informed before they make any legally binding decisions such as pleas. When language barriers are added, it becomes more difficult to comprehend what information is being presented and decided.

Joseph has seen how frustrating it can be for people when there is a communication barrier. It’s why he hopes others with foreign language skills will consider credentialing.

“The goal for everyone working on a case is to find a resolution,” said Joseph. “Interpreting can help people get clarity, and hopefully closure, with their issue.”

Ohio law requires courts to appoint a qualified interpreter when there is a language barrier, whether it be a foreign language or people who are deaf or hard of hearing. In order to make existing interpreters more accessible to courts, the Supreme Court has posted a roster of credentialed court interpreters and established standards for the use of remote video interpretation.

The Court’s Language Services Section is also working with the Advisory Committee on Language Services to amend the rules to qualify court interpreters without foregoing quality, and allowing out of state credentialed interpreters to apply to Ohio for reciprocity.

Learn more about becoming a court interpreter.