Latinos who are Limited English Proficient often faces a significant challenge when navigating the judicial system. Despite their efforts to request bilingual Spanish and English interpreters, many individuals in courtrooms need more essential language support. This issue extends across various legal domains, including judicial, family, and immigration courts, leading to frustrating delays, wasted time, and financial burdens for those involved.
Effective communication is the cornerstone of a fair and just legal process. The legal community suggest the need for qualified interpreters is paramount in a culturally diverse city like Philadelphia, where a significant portion of the population speaks a language other than English. Bilingual interpreters play a crucial role in ensuring that individuals who speak languages other than English can fully understand and participate in legal proceedings. This is a part of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act 1964 and to clarify existing requirements for LEP person President Clinton on August 11 of 2000 issued an executive order 13166 “Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).”
Many individuals report instances where they have diligently filled out paperwork requesting a bilingual interpreter for their court appearances, only to find that one is not available when they arrive. This lack of access to language support often leads to the postponement of court appointments, resulting in consequences such as rescheduled hearings, additional legal fees, and missed workdays. “This situation happened to our clients many times after they came here, and we helped them to fill in the applications to meet the requirements” Ana Victoria Sandoval, a Resources Coordinator from JUNTOS.
Based on Pennsylvania Court Interpreters – Removing Language Barriers’ report their effort to support the non-English speaking has a significant impact, and Philadelphia is the number 1 county that has bespeakers stilleir services; the question here is why if Philadelphia is the number one that benefited from their efforts Spanish speakers still experience a delay in their case because is not a bilingual interpreter available during their appointment even they have requested the service in advance.
To ensure fair and accessible legal proceedings, the Philadelphia judicial system must address the persistent problem of interpreter unavailability. The Interpreter Certification Program, Interpreter Roster
updated on December 29, 2023, shows 16 Spanish interpreters in Philadelphia, including four staff interpreters and 20 in the suburbs. This demonstrates a need for more Spanish interpreters in the area.
