News Item

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New Court Interpreter Resource Management System Launched

Posted: Wednesday, November 13, 2019

The Minnesota Judicial Branch has launched a new scheduling and management system for court interpreters, the Interpreter Resource Management Application (IRMA). IRMA will ensure efficient resource management by providing real-time information on requests and assignments in one portal through its integration with the Minnesota Judicial Branch case management system, MNCIS.
 
Interpreter schedulers using IRMA are able to assess locations, expected driving time, costs of providing the interpreter on-site, and other information to determine how best to fulfill the interpreter need either with an in-person court interpreter or if a qualified interpreter can appear using remote interpreting technology. IRMA streamlines all aspects and management of the court interpreter program for court staff and court interpreters. The system will electronically manage interpreter profile information, the court interpreter roster, scheduling, invoicing and payments, data collection, and reports.
 
“The new Interpreter Resource Management Application is a significant technological achievement for the Minnesota Judicial Branch. This system will provide enhanced communication, organization, and invoicing for court interpreters and court administrative staff,” said Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea. “Feedback from court interpreters who frequently work with our courts was instrumental in the development and deployment of this new web-based system. I thank our justice partners for their support in bringing this project to fruition.”
 
During the first week of use, almost 200 interpreters had used the system. In 2018 there were more than 28,000 hearings or trials in Minnesota district courts that required the use of a court-appointed interpreter. IRMA was developed internally by the State Court Administrator’s Office Information Technology Department.