Ask for an interpreter

If you don’t speak or understand English very well, you may need a court interpreter to help you in court.

 

⚠️ Even if you speak English in everyday life, the situations and language in court can be very difficult. An interpreter can help make sure that you understand and can communicate as well as possible.

 

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What to know about court interpreters

  • Court Interpreters are provided free of charge
  • You must request an interpreter in advance
  • Ask the court for an interpreter as soon as you find out that you need to go to court

Court interpreters must follow specific rules for what they can and can’t do

  • They must interpret what is being said in the courtroom into your language and interpret your words into English.

    • They must interpret everything that is said. So know that anything you say will be interpreted to English.

  • They must keep all communications between you and your lawyer confidential.

  • They must disclose any conflicts of interest they may have with your case.

  • They cannot give you legal advice.

Court interpreters cannot typically provide services outside of the courtroom

Some courts have interpreters available in their self-help centers to assist with interpretation outside of the courtroom.

Only qualified court interpreters can interpret court proceedings

  • You are usually not allowed to have a friend or relative who speaks English to serve as the interpreter for you in the courtroom.
  • However, if you will need help outside of the courtroom with getting information or filling out forms, you may get help from a friend or relative who speaks English.

How to ask for an interpreter

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  • Visit the language access page of your court’s website

    The steps for requesting an interpreter are different from one court to another. Your court’s website ↗️ will list the steps required to ask for an interpreter.  

    To understand what your court requires, look for: 

    • 📅 How many days in advance of your court date do you have to ask for an interpreter

    • What form you use to ask an interpreter

    • Does your court allow for interpreter requests to be made online or by email 

    Use the Find My Court ↗️to quickly access your court’s language access information 

  • Fill out the form

    If your court requires a form to request an interpreter, your next step is to complete the form.

    You can use the Request for an Interpreter (Civil) (form INT-300) ↗️.

    • Your court’s website ↗️ may also have a different form available if you prefer. 

    The form is available in many languages ↗️ to help you understand, but you must fill out the English version, in English.  

    📌 To complete the form, you need to know: 

    • Your case number 
    • The language you need
    • The date of your next court hearing

  • Turn in your request to the court

    After you complete the form in English, file it in the clerk's office.

    If your court has a different process, ask the clerk for more information. You may need to turn your form into the Interpreter Coordinator or the Language Access Representative.

  • Confirm the court got your request

    Contact the interpreter coordinator or language access representative in your court either by phone or email to confirm they received and approved your request.

Tips for working with your court interpreter

  • If you cannot hear or understand the interpreter, tell the judge right away 

  • Speak loudly and clearly, at a normal pace or a little slower 

  • Speak only in your language (even if you speak some English)

  • Listen only to the interpreter  

  • Speak directly to the person asking the questions, not to the interpreter

How to complain about an interpreter

 You can file a complaint with the court or with the Judicial Council.

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