Court Interpreter Program

At any stage of proceedings in which a person because of a hearing, speech or other communication disorder, or because of difficulty in speaking or comprehending the English language, cannot fully understand the proceedings, or charges, or seizure of property, or is incapable of presenting or assisting in the presentation of a defense. Minn. Stat. §§ 611.31-.32.

The Court Interpreter Program supports the Minnesota Judicial Branch goal of ensuring that people who cannot speak English or are deaf or hard of hearing have equal access to participate in cases in Minnesota state courts.

The program coordinates court interpreter testing and training, as well as assists in developing and implementing interpreter policy and best practices.  It also performs various administrative duties, such as maintaining and publishing an online roster of court interpreters who have completed the minimum requirements to become eligible to work in the state court system. 

Court personnel refer to the statewide roster to locate and schedule court interpreters for court hearings. Court interpreters are hired at the county-level directly by the Minnesota district courts. The roster is also available to public agencies, attorneys, and others requiring interpretation services as they search for qualified interpreters for out-of-court work.