LOS ANGELES (CNS) —The Los Angeles Superior Court system will continue to expand its provision of free interpreter services to people with limited English-language skills under an agreement announced by federal prosecutors.
The agreement between the court and U.S. Justice Department will resolve a complaint originally filed by the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles alleging the court was failing to provide interpreters in some instances, such as civil proceedings or in court operations.
Federal authorities noted that court officials have been expanding the interpreter program, which now includes all criminal and most civil proceedings, along with oral and written language assistance in court services.
Interpreter services are expected to be expanded to unlimited civil matters — the last type of case in which the service is not guaranteed — by Dec. 1, 2017.
“The Los Angeles County Superior Court has accepted the challenge of serving the needs of limited English proficient individuals in one of the most populous and linguistically diverse areas of the country,” U.S. Attorney Eileen Decker said. “Protecting the civil rights of all people within the Central District of California is one of my top priorities as United States Attorney, and today’s agreement serves that goal by giving greater access to the judicial system to individuals so that they may protect their own rights.”