Nevada Judiciary

The Nevada Certified Court Interpreters Program has approved four Distance Learning courses titled ‘,Discrimination’,, ‘,Psychological Evaluations’,, ‘,Elder Abuse’, and ‘,Paralanguage/Body Language’, for three CE credits per course which will be awarded to participants upon completion of the course. The courses will be taught by Ms. Alicia Ernand, Spanish Court Certified Interpreter (for more information visit www.aliciaernand.com).

The Truckee Meadows Community College (Northern Nevada) will offer a course titled ‘,Preparation for Court Interpreting Certification’, starting January 29, 2008. Students will learn and practice all modes of interpreting and get closer to their goal of becoming certified court interpreters. To register, call 775/ 829-9010 or visit http://wdce.tmcc.edu

The Supreme Court of Nevada concluded in its opinion that under its inherent and express powers, a justice court (small claims proceeding) is authorized to allow a volunteer interpreter, and when a volunteer interpreter is not available, to appoint a state-registered interpreter and to determine compensation.

When a justice court is considering whether and how to appoint an interpreter for a party, the court should consider the following three factors: 1. The party’,s knowledge of and ability to communicate in English. 2. Whether a competent volunteer interpreter is available. 3. If a volunteer interpreter is not available, whether a state-registered interpreter is needed to ensure that the proceedings are meaningful.

As a threshold matter, the justice court must determine the extent to which the party seeking an interpreter speaks and/or understands the English language (see Memorandum with subject Voir Dire). Depending upon the language barrier, the party may be able to proceed without an interpreter, in which case the court may decline to appoint an interpreter. When the party cannot, however, speak or understand English to the extent that he or she is unable to meaningfully participate in the proceedings, an interpreter is needed.

In coordination with Senator Herb Kohl, National Center for State Courts (NCSC) staff hosted a congressional staff briefing on 09/07/07 regarding court interpreter services in the state courts. Congressional staff attending heard from an expert panel (Judge Sergio Gutierrez –, Idaho Court of Appeals, Patricia Griffin –, Delaware State Court Administrator, and Javier Soler –,Maryland Court Interpreter Administrator) that discussed the myriad issues that courts face in providing court interpretive services, etc.

This bill will authorize the Attorney General to award grants to state courts to develop and implement state courts interpreter programs. The bill was introduced on February 28, 2007, it was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

If authorized, $15 million will be appropriated for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to carry out this act. Those States that apply would be eligible for a $100,000 base grant allotment. In addition, $5 million would be set aside for states that demonstrate extraordinary need. The remainder of money would be distributed on a formula basis, determined by the percentage of persons in that State over the age of five who speak language other than English at home. Full text is available at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-2497

Follow-up efforts are being made to secure additional co-sponsors for the Senator Kohl’,s State Court Interpreter Grant Program Act (S 702).

There is high demand for quality interpreting in health care sector. Several court and non-court certified interpreters inquire about the medical certification available in our state. Unfortunately, the State of Nevada does not administer this type of certification at this time. However, the following information should be helpful and assist those interested in obtaining credentials as medical certified interpreter:

International Medical Interpreters Association 750 Washington Street, NEMC Box 271 Boston, MA 02111-1845 www.mmia.org

The 61st General Assembly of the United Nations has proclaimed 2008 the International Year of Languages, thereby recognizing that genuine multilingualism promotes, protects, and preserves the diversity of languages and global understanding. The Assembly emphasized the importance of the equality of the organization’,s six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.