Judicial Council to Consider Ways to Increase the Availability of Court Interpreters

SAN FRANCISCO-The Judicial Council at its December 12 business meeting will consider a study on the future of the court interpreter workforce and how best to meet the needs of the state's nearly 6.4 million limited-English-proficient (LEP) residents and potential court users.

The study highlights critical gaps in meeting the language needs of LEP court users. Findings reveal that while Spanish interpreter needs are generally met, significant shortages persist in other languages.

Factors affecting interpreter availability include difficulty in passing the required court interpreter examinations, a retiring workforce, geographic constraints, and competition from other industries.

The study's findings call for action by multiple groups, including recommendations to the Legislature, as well as considerations for the council, the courts, and experienced court interpreters. The guidance includes:

• Continue funding for interpreter services
• Extend workforce pilot programs
• Expand career pathways and education through apprenticeship and mentorship programs
• Review examination standards and content
• Increase use of video remote interpreting

Other Items on Council Meeting Agenda:

Legislative Priorities : The council will consider the types of legislation it should support to increase access to justice for court users, which includes: adequate court funding to address increased costs; remote access to the courts while balancing due process; new judicial officer positions in counties with the greatest need; ensuring the availability of verbatim records of court proceedings; efficient court operations; and increased security to safeguard personnel, the public, and court systems from physical and cyber threats.

Funding for Children's Waiting Rooms : The council will consider the approval of children's waiting room fund balance cap adjustments requested by superior courts, which will allow them to continue planned operations of their children's waiting rooms. The state encourages each courthouse to provide a waiting room for children whose parents or guardians are attending court proceedings. The waiting rooms offer professional childcare and protect children from the stress and potential trauma of courtroom environments.

Trial Court Trust Funds : The council will consider requests from trial courts under a program that allows them to request that a reduction in their Trial Court Trust Fund allocations be retained as a restricted fund balance for the benefit of those courts. The funds are then allocated back to the courts by the council for the purposes stated in their approved requests, which can include meeting contractual obligations and funding necessary court projects or purchases.

Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules : The council will consider adopting the Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules, 2026 Edition: Traffic, Boating, Forestry, Fish and Game, Public Utilities, Parks and Recreation, Business Licensing. Unlike for Vehicle Code infractions, the penalty amounts in the schedule for other laws are advisory and intended to provide guidance and uniformity to the trial courts for their schedules for nontraffic misdemeanors and infractions.

The complete council meeting agenda and council reports are posted to the California Courts Meeting Information Center. A link to a live webcast of the meeting will be on the California Courts websiteon the day of the meeting.