Use of Interpreters for Language-Disabled Persons Involved in Federal, State, and Local Judicial Proceedings

Judicial proceedings conducted in English must be interpreted for people who do not understand the language or who are deaf or deaf-mute to protect their rights. Court officials generally believe defendants' rights are protected adequately under existing laws and in judicial proceedings, although steps taken by the courts to meet the needs of these people vary considerably. Enough data were not available to determine whether there is a serious problem with interpretive services.