Resources for the Judiciary
Resources for working with language professionals
NAJIT’s mission is to promote continuing excellence and ensure professional recognition for judiciary interpreters and translators by advocating, upholding, and safeguarding the highest professional standards. In keeping with our mission, NAJIT continues to serve as the authoritative resource for all stakeholders who interact with judiciary interpreters and translators. We welcome that responsibility and believe that employing the best and most effective practices when legal interpretation or translation is employed is crucial to the fair dispensation of justice. On this page we have provided links in one easy-to-find place that includes NAJIT position papers, guidelines, infographics, and numerous other resources to serve all language access stakeholders. We know that this page will be useful to our entire legal community.
CATEGORIZED RESOURCE LIST
Bench Cards: Working with Interpreters
GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS
LANGUAGE ACCESS
WORKING WITH LANGUAGE PROFESSIONALS
NAJIT POSITION PAPERS
NAJIT WHITE PAPERS
'I SPEAK' CARD
NAJIT Code of Ethics and Professional Standards
NAJITs Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct – All NAJIT members are bound to comply with this code.
American Bar Association Standards for Language Access in State Courts
The American Bar Association released the American Bar Association Standards for Language Access in State Courts that will affect court interpreters working with LEPs.
Suggested Guidelines for Interpreters Returning to Work in Courts Holding In Person Proceedings
Statement Against Reductions in Minimum Hours for Remote Interpreting
The NAJIT Board of Directors drafted a statement against reductions in minimum hours for remote interpreting. This and other items NAJIT has advocated for can be found on the NAJIT Advocacy web page.
NAJIT Online Directory: Find a Professional
Need an interpreter or translator? Our directory of professional interpreters and translators includes professionals from around the world with certifications in a variety of languages. Enter your search criteria and you will be provided with an alphabetized listing of interpreters and translators.
VIDEO: U.S. Courts Knowledge Seminar: Court interpreting access to justice (60 minutes)
For a criminal defendant with limited English proficiency, or who has a hearing impairment, a skilled courtroom interpreter is a vital part of the justice system. Like court-appointed attorneys, interpreters enable defendants to understand proceedings and assist in their own defense. The role of court interpreters is the theme of this Knowledge Seminar video.
The seminar, which includes a panel discussion between two federal judges and two career interpreters, discusses why interpreting is essential to a constitutional process and the challenges courts face in providing skilled interpreters. Court interpreting requires language fluency, interpreting skills, familiarity with technical terms and courtroom procedure, and a knowledge of particular cultures.
VIDEO: Team Interpreting (2 minutes)
We talk a lot about team-interpreting but, what is team-interpreting? This short video can probably answer that question. Take a look. Enjoy!!
INFOGRAPHIC: Benefits of working with a professional interpreter
INFOGRAPHIC: Benefits of working with a professional interpreter– A resource to aid in sharing the benefits of working with a professional interpreter.
INFOGRAPHIC: Working with an interpreter in a legal setting
INFOGRAPHIC: Working with an interpreter in a legal setting – A resource for professionals working with interpreters in a legal setting.
INFOGRAPHIC: Verifying interpreter credentials and having them stated for the record
INFOGRAPHIC: Verifying Interpreter Credentials and Having them Stated for the Record– A resource that every court and law firm should have at hand when providing language access to limited English proficient (LEP) individuals through an interpreter. It is a step by step guide on how to verify interpreter credentials to assure proper language services.
VIDEO: Example of Court Interpreter's Interview to Verify Credentials (2 minutes)
During the voir dire process, a judge will interview the court interpreter to verify their credentials. This two minute video from the United States Court shows an example of the interview.
POWERPOINT: Proper use of interpreters in legal settings
POWERPOINT: Bench and Bar Committee presentation providing basic information about the proper use of interpreters in legal settings. (Education for Attorneys)
POWERPOINT: Proper use of interpreters in a legal setting
POWERPOINT: Bench and Bar Committee presentation providing basic information about the proper use of interpreters in legal settings. (Education for Judges)
POWERPOINT: Best practices for working with interpreters and clients with limited English proficiency
POWERPOINT: Best Practices for Working with Interpreters and Clients with Limited English Proficiency (Education for Judges, Attorneys and other Stakeholders). A suggestions and best practices document has also been developed to support the PowerPoint.
Post a Staff Position or Temporary Assignment
Have an assignment or staff position you would like to share with our members? Use the submit a job feature to add a posting to our job board. The job board is only viewable to NAJIT members. Get your interpreting or translating need in front of more than 1,000 language professionals today!
Team Interpretation in Court-Related Proceedings
Issued May 2020
Telephone Interpreting in Legal Settings
Issued February 2009
Language Assistance for Law Enforcement
Issued March 2006
Equal Access as it Relates to Translation and Interpretation
Issued May 2006
Issued May 2006
Direct Speech in Legal Settings
Issued July 2004
Summary Interpreting in Legal Settings
Issued November 2003
Preparing Interpreters in Rare Languages
Issued November 2003
Information for Court Administrators
Issued November 2003
What is a Certified Interpreter?
Issued December 2021
Interpreter Certification Tiers
Issued December 2021
Use this resource to access a language identification or “I speak” card in 38 different languages. This valuable tool can help identify the native language and procure appropriate interpreter services.
TRANSLATED VERSIONS OF OUR INFOGRAPHICS
ENGLISH
ARABIC
CHINESE
SPANISH
VIETNAMESE
INFOGRAPHIC: Benefits of working with a professional interpreter – A resource to aid in sharing the benefits of working with a professional interpreter.
INFOGRAPHIC: Working with an interpreter in a legal setting – A resource for professionals working with interpreters in a legal setting.
INFOGRAPHIC: Benefits of working with a professional interpreter – A resource to aid in sharing the benefits of working with a professional interpreter. Translated by Mr. Abdelaaziz El Ghayate.
INFOGRAPHIC: Working with an interpreter in a legal setting – A resource for professionals working with interpreters in a legal setting. Translated by Mr. Abdelaaziz El Ghayate.
INFOGRAPHIC: Benefits of working with a professional interpreter – A resource to aid in sharing the benefits of working with a professional interpreter. Translated by Sylvia Sham and Barbara Hua Robinson.
INFOGRAPHIC: Working with an interpreter in a legal setting – A resource for professionals working with interpreters in a legal setting. Translated by Sylvia Sham and Barbara Hua Robinson.
INFOGRAPHIC: Benefits of working with a professional interpreter – A resource to aid in sharing the benefits of working with a professional interpreter.
INFOGRAPHIC: Working with an interpreter in a legal setting – A resource for professionals working with interpreters in a legal setting.
INFOGRAPHIC: Benefits of working with a professional interpreter – A resource to aid in sharing the benefits of working with a professional interpreter. Translated by Phuong Tonnu and Hoang Bao Lan.
INFOGRAPHIC: Working with an interpreter in a legal setting – A resource for professionals working with interpreters in a legal setting. Translated by Phuong Tonnu and Hoang Bao Lan.
