Language Access
Our courts promise to resolve disputes fairly and pursuant to the rule of law. But for people who have limited English proficiency (“LEP”), basic access to our courts is elusive. Many people are unable to obtain translation and interpretation services and therefore unable to advance or defend their claims. The stakes are high: people can forfeit hard-earned wages, or lose custody of children as a result of language skills.
The Brennan Center partners with immigrant rights organizations and others to protect access to the courts for LEP populations. Through an ongoing 50-state research project we are examining the provision of interpretation services in the state courts. Our report will serve as a critical tool for legislators, court officials, other policymakers, and advocates working to ensure equal justice for all.
The Brennan Center and its allies also have sent a letter to Senate leaders in support of the State Court Interpreters Grant Program Act, S.702, which would authorize the establishment of a grant program to help fund state court interpreter services.
"Language Access in the Courts and Law Enforcement," an article written by the Brennan Center's Laura Abel and Paul Uyehara, Senior Attorney in the Language Access Project of Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, appeared in the Management Information Exchange's Winter 2008 Journal. The article discusses efforts to improve language access in the courts that are taking place on the national level and locally, in California, New York and Pennsylvania. Also described is the successful advocacy, done in conjunction with local law enforcement, that reformed police language access policy in Philadelphia.
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Letter in Support of State Court Interpreters Grant Program Act, S.702
Brennan Center and allies urge Senate leaders to support bill that would improve language access in the courts
Language Access in the Courts and Law Enforcement
Published in the Winter 2008 Journal of the Management Information Exchange, this article discusses national and local advocacy efforts, and work that has been done with law enforcement, to improve language access throughout the justice system.