Speaking Justice: Providing Victims and Litigants Language Access in the Courts
Description
Join us for a national webinar at which U.S. Department of Justice language access experts and the National Judicial Network will discuss federal law requirements for courts to provide language access in court proceedings, clerks offices and court-ordered services, ensuring that everyone, regardless of the language spoken, can fully participate in the legal process. The webinar will discuss the federal requirements to provide qualified interpreters for all types of civil, family, and criminal matters, including those involving limited English proficient victims. We’ll also explore a real-life case in an interactive exercise, illustrating the critical importance of language access in courts and identifying how the failure of other agencies (e.g., hospitals, law enforcement, child protective services) to provide language access may impact the role of the courts and the outcomes for victims, children, and all litigants. Our faculty will offer practical solutions for lawyers and judges in communities facing language access challenges. This webinar will provide tips, tools, resources, and best practices that all judges, court staff, attorneys, and victim advocates can use to improve language access to courts serving their communities.
Faculty
- Christine Stoneman, Chief, Federal Coordination and Compliance Section (FCS), U.S. Department of Justice
- Hon. Victor Reyes (Ret.), Judge, Pueblo, Colorado
- Leslye E. Orloff, Adjunct Professor and Director, NIWAP, American University Washington College of Law
Language Access General Materials
If you are a victim advocate, attorney, judge, or other professional working with an immigrant victim and you would like to receive case specific technical assistance on family law issues that arise in cases of immigrant crime victims, please call NIWAP for technical assistance. (202) 274-4457 or email us at info@niwap.org.
To receive updates, sign up for NIWAP’s outreach list.
You can elect NIWAP’s general outreach list to receive notices of trainings, webinars, new materials, resources and policies. Judges, court staff, law enforcement and prosecutors can sign up for lists exclusively open to staff working at one of these government agencies.
Technical Assistance Flyer:
NIWAP’s Technical Assistance Flyer describes the technical assistance and training offered to support advocates, attorneys, judges, police, prosecutors, and other professionals in their work with immigrant women, children, and crime victims.
For further information see our language access pages:
- Language Access General Materials (2024)
- Inclusive Legal Services and Language Access for Immigrant Crime Victims (2017)
Multilingual Know Your Rights Materials and Screening Tools:
- Multilingual Materials for Victims and Advocates (2015)
- “Are you Safe at Home?” (2015)
- “Know Your Rights” (2015)
- “Rights and Options”(2015)
- DOJ: Know Your Rights (Are You Limited English Proficient?) infographic (2002
- National Council for State Courts: Protection Orders and Limited English Proficient (LEP) Individuals (2003)
- DHS: Infographic: Protections for Immigrant Victims (January 12, 2017)
- DHS: “Immigration Options for Victims of Crimes” (2011)
- Visual Safety Plan
- English, Arabic, Bosnian, Burmese, French, Nepali, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Vietnamese
- Multilingual Materials by Language (2015)
Training Resource Guide, Manual Chapters, and Articles:
- Resource Guide for Advocates & Attorneys on Interpretation Services for Domestic Violence Victims, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence (2016)
- Serving Limited English Proficient Immigrant Victims (Fall 2016)
- Ensuring Language Access to Immigrant Victims of Sexual Assault (July 1, 2013)
- Fact Sheet: Immigrant and Limited English Proficient Victims’ Access to the Criminal Justice System: The Importance of Collaboration (April 13, 2013
- Improving Accessibility of Your Program’s Services to Battered Immigrant Women (2001)
- Maria L’s Language Access Story (Fall 2016)
Language Access Plans and Policies
- Language Access Policy Template (Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence- 2016)
- Are You Compliant with Title VI? Self-Assessment Tool (2013)
- DOJ Language Access Assessment and Planning Tool for Federally Conducted and Federally Assisted Programs (2011)
- Center for Medicaid Services (CMS )Guide to Creating a Language Access Plan (August 2023)
Courts
- DOJ, State Courts – Limited English Proficiency (LEP) (2024)
- DOJ, Ensuring Language Access in the Courts (October 2023)
- DOJ, Assistant Attorney General Letter to Chief Justices and State Court Administrators (2018)
- DOJ Letter to State Chief Justices and State Court Administrators on Access for Limited English Proficient Persons to State Court Proceedings (August 16, 2010)
- National Center for Access to Justice (NCAJ) Language Access in State Courts (2024)
- National Center for State Courts, Language Access Services Section (LASS) (2024)
- National Center for State Courts Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) Resource Center (2024
- SJI Priority Investment Areas (2024)
- DOJ, Remarks of Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke National Center for State Courts, Language Access in the Courts Convening (October 26, 2023)
- Limited English Proficiency Committee Title VI Interagency Working Group, Improving Access to Public Websites and Digital Services for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Persons (December 2021)
- Fact Sheet: Language Access in the US Court System (June 12, 2021)
- Bench Card for Working With Court Interpreters (December 2016)
- NCSC, Judicial Bench Card for Court Interpretation (June 30, 2006)
- DOJ: Castaneda v. Superior Court of Arizona, Mohave County (May 11, 2015)
- NCSC, Access Brief: Language Access & Self-Represented Litigants (March 2014)
- DOJ Language Access Planning and Technical Assistance Tool for Courts (February 2014)
- NCSC, A Call to Action Access to Justice for Limited English Proficient Litigants Creating Solutions to Language Barriers in State Courts (July 2013)
- Language Access Tools for Courts and Court Programs (2013)
- ABA Standards for Language Access in Courts (2012)
- DOJ, Federal Funding Programs for State and Local Court Activities to Address Access to Justice for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Individuals (August 2011)
- NCSC, Guide to Translation of Legal Materials (April 2011)
- Brennan Center for Justice: Language Access in State Courts (2009)
- NCSC, Serving Limited English Proficient (LEP) Battered Women: A National Survey of the Courts’ Capacity to Provide Protection Orders (June 30, 2006)
- NCSC, White Paper: Improving the Courts’ Capacity to Serve Limited English Proficient Persons Seeking Protection Orders (2006)
- NCSC, Protection Orders and Limited English Proficient (LEP) Individuals (June 30, 2006)
- NCSC Justice Case Files – Graphic Novel The Case of No Pets Allowed
- Family Law Resources for Immigrant and LEP Victims
- Family Court Bench Card on Issues that Arise in Custody Cases Involving Immigrant Parents, Children, and Crime Victims (October 13, 2013, Updated November 30, 2021)
- When Family and Immigration Laws Intersect: Case Law and Department of Homeland Security Policy Update (September 30, 2021)
- Immigrants and Protection Orders Bench Card (March 30, 2019)
- DHS Enforcement Priorities, Courthouse Enforcement and Sensitive Location Policies and Memoranda Information for State Court Judges (December 27, 2021)
Law Enforcement and Prosecutors:
- Law Enforcement – Limited English Proficiency (LEP) (2024)
- DOJ, Law Enforcement Letter Regarding Language Access Obligations (December 12, 2023)
- U.S. Department of Justice Model Limited English Proficiency Guidelines from Office of Justice Programs “Center City Police Department” (2013)
- Police Executive Research Forum – Community Policing in Immigrant Neighborhoods: Stories of Success (2019)
- Questions to Use for Crime Scene Identification of Limited English Proficient (LEP) Victim (May 16, 2017)
- Laws Governing Law Enforcement Agency provision of Language Assistance to Limited English Proficient Persons (May 16, 2017)
- Dos and Don’ts to Help Law Enforcement Identify Victims, Witnesses, and Other Persons Who Are Limited English Proficient and Need An Interpreter (May 16, 2017)
- Why Using an Interpreter is Beneficial to Law Enforcement (August 21, 2016)
- Steps for Obtaining Interpreters – Law Enforcement (August 21, 2016)
- Red Means Help Campaign – Portland State University and the Portland Police Bureau (2023)
- Vera, Just Ask: A Toolkit to Help Advocates, Attorneys, and Law Enforcement Meet the Needs of Crime Victims with Disabilities (May 7, 2020)
- Police Executive Research Forum Article – U Visas and the Role of Local Police In Preventing and Investigating Crimes Against Immigrants (June – August 2017)
- Fact Sheet: Immigrant and Limited English Proficient Victims’ Access to the Criminal Justice System: The Importance of Collaboration (April 13, 2013)
- National Survey of Service Providers on Police Response to Immigrant Crime Victims, U Visa Certification and Language Access (April 16, 2013)
- Flyer Offering Training For Law Enforcement and Prosecutors on Best Practices: Immigrant Crime Victims, Language Access and the U-Visa (June 14, 2019)
Government Policies and Publications:
Language Access Laws and Regulations
- Federal Register: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency: Executive Order 13166 (August 11, 2000)
- HHS: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Federal Register – Policy Guidance on the Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination as it Affects Persons with Limited English Proficiency (August 30, 2000)
- DOJ, Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons (June 18, 2002)
- DOJ, Dear Colleague Letter to Courts Regarding Fines and Fees for Youth and Adults (April 20, 2023)
- GSA, Foreign Language Services Ordering Guide (May 2023)
- Executive Order 14091: Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (February 22, 2023)
- DOJ Language Access Plan (August 2023)
- DOJ, Attorney General Memorandum – Strengthening the Federal Government’s Commitment to Language Access (November 21, 2022)
- DOJ: Enforcement Of Nondiscrimination Laws In Programs And Activities That Receive Infrastructure Investment And Jobs Act Or Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (July 21, 2022)
- The Department’s Implementation and Administrative Enforcement of Title VI and the Safe Streets Act VAWA’s Anti-Discrimination Protections (June 22, 2022)
- Executive Order 14031, Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (May 28, 2021)
- Executive Order 13985—Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (January 20, 2021)
- Laws Governing Law Enforcement Agency provision of Language Assistance to Limited English Proficient Persons (2017)
- Translation Requirements for Vital Documents, Intake, and Notice of LEP Assistance for DOJ and HHS Grantees serving Immigrant Crime Victims (April 14, 2016)
- DOJ Americans with Disability Act’s (ADA) Requirements Effective Communication (January 2014)
- Plan of the Administrative Conference of the U.S. for Compliance with Executive Order No. 13166 Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency -Administrative Rulemaking, Licensing, Adjudication and Investigation) [Last Updated November 6, 2023]
- DOJ: Know Your Rights Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Non-Discrimination in Public Accommodations (2023)
Department of Justice Language Access Publications
- DOJ: Frequently Asked Questions about the Protection of Limited English Proficient (LEP) Individuals under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title VI Regulations (March 2011)
- DOJ: Federal Government’s Renewed Commitment to Language Access Obligations Under Executive Order 13166 (2011)
- DOJ: Common Language Access Questions, Technical Assistance, and Guidance for Federally Conducted and Federally Assisted Programs (April 2011)
- DOJ: Federal Government’s Renewed Commitment to Language Access Obligations Under Executive Order 13166 (February 2011)
- DOJ Letter to State Chief Justices and State Court Administrators on Access for Limited English Proficient Persons to State Court Proceedings (August 2010)
- DOJ Language Access Assessment and Planning Tool for Federally Conducted and Federally Assisted Programs (2011)
- DOJ: Language Access Obligations Under Executive Order 13166 (June 2010)
- DOJ Letter to State Courts on Language Access (August 2010)
- DOJ: Executive Order 13166 Limited English Proficiency Resource Document: Tips and Tools from the Field (2004)
- DOJ: Memorandum Re: Executive Order 13166 (Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency (July 2002)
- DOJ: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency (DJ# 366-16-83)(December 2002)
- DOJ: Memorandum for Heads of Federal Agencies Re: Executive Order 13166 (Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency)(January 2002)
- DOJ: Q&A on the Background of Limited English Proficiency and Executive Order 13166 (October 2001)
- DOJ: Memorandum for head of Federal Agencies Re: Executive Order 13166 (Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency)(October 2001)
Language Access Resources from Technical Assistance Providers:
- VERA Institute of Justice: Translating Justice Program
- Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence: Language Access
- National Center for State Courts: Language Access Programs by State
- Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network
- National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT): Interpreter and Translator Database
- National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT): Resources for the Judiciary
- National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center: State of Alaska Task Force on the Crimes of Human Trafficking, Promoting Prostitution and Sex Trafficking
- National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center: Language Access
- National Congress of American Indians: Language
- National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project: Language Access
- Limited English Proficiency (A Federal Interagency Website): Department of Justice guidance and technical assistance for language access regulations
- Center for Court Innovation: Tribal Access to Justice Innovation
Language Access Webinars:
- National Center for State Courts, Webinar: Answering the Call – Celebrating a Decade Advancing Language Access in State Courts (October 2023)
- Webinar: Improving Language Access for Immigrant Crime Victims in Maryland (December 11, 2023)
- National Center for State Courts, Tiny Chat 124: Working with Interpreters (2023)
- National Center for State Courts, Tiny Chat 10: Mailbag: Language Access (2020)
- “Un momento para inspirarnos” Conversation Series: Interview with Leslye Orloff (with New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts Language Access Services) (September 8, 2020)
- In Accordance with the Law: When Your Victim or Witness Speaks Limited English (with Missouri Office of Prosecution Services) (February 6, 2020)
- In Accordance with the Law: When Your Victim Witness Speaks Limited English (Webinar) (November 21, 2019):
- Law Enforcement Working in Rural Communities: Language Access Webinar training for Kansas Law Enforcement Officers in collaboration with the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence and the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center Topeka, Kansas (March 28, 2018)
- “ABC’s of Language Access Advocacy” (Webinar) (November 23, 2015)
- “Language Access at Crime Scenes: Improve Successful Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions” (Webinar) (September 29, 2015)
Language Identification:
- Language Identification Card I Speak … (May 2019)
- DHS: I Speak…Indigenous Language Identification Poster (December 2016)
- New Jersey Language Identification Guide (May 2015)
- U.S. Census Language Identification Flashcard I speak (2004)
- Guatemalan Indigenous Languages (June 6, 2019)
- Mexican Indigenous Languages (June 5, 2019)
Interpretation and Translation:
- National Association of Judiciary Interpreters & Translators: Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibilities (2015)
- DOJ Procurement Services Translation and Interpretation TIPS: Before You Hire -Ask Yourself : What Are My Project’s Language Needs? (May 6, 2014)
- DOJ Procurement Services Translation and Interpretation TIPS on Hiring the Right Telephonic Interpretation Vendor (May 6, 2014)
- DOJ Procurement Services Translation and Interpretation TIPS: What Does It Mean to be a Certified Linguist? (May 6, 2014)
- DOJ, Procurement Services Translation and Interpretation TIPS: For Working with Telephone Interpreters (April 28, 2014)
- National Center for State Courts, Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters Serving Limited English Proficient Victims of Domestic Violence Outside of the Courtroom and Judicial Settings (2006)
- Zoom Interpreting and Closed Captioning Guide for Service Providers (Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence 2022)
- National Council on Interpreting in Health Care Develops National Standards for Interpreters (November 2022)
- Pasifika Power and Control Wheel Translation Project (2021)
- Resource Guide For Advocates and Attorneys on Interpretation Services for Domestic Violence Victims (Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence 2016)
- Working with Court Interpreters (2016)
- Considerations When Using Interpreters for Victims with Limited English Proficiency (Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence – 2015)
- Working with Interpreters (Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence – 2015)
- How to Address Problems with Interpretation (Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence – 2015)
- Working Effectively with Telephone Interpreters (2015)
- Tips: Ensuring Effective and Accurate Interpretation (Victim Rights Law Center)(2011)
- Language Access and Domestic Violence Communicating with Limited English Proficient Individuals (December 2011)
- Important Tips to Remember When Using an Interpreter (2010)
- What Court Interpreters Would Tell You if They Were Here (February 19, 2009)
- Questions to Ask When Qualifying an Interpreter (October 26, 2007)
- Language Access Flow Chart (Reach-Diversity)
Materials Produced by the King County Court
- In the Interview…(2007)
- Limited English proficiency: Resources (2007)
- Important Tips to Remember When Using an Interpreter (2010)
- How Do You Determine Who Needs an Interpreter, Washington Administrative Office of the Courts (2007)
- Interpreter Fatigue (2007)
- Interpretation Modes: Rules and Techniques (2007)
- Lost in Translation: Points to Consider When Using Interpreters (2003)
- Questions to Ask/Consider When Qualifying an Interpreter (2007)
- Best Practice: Team Interpreting(2007)
- Number of Interpreters Needed Question & Answer (2007)
- Proper Role of a Court Interpreter (2008)
- Code of Conduct for Court Interpreters- Washington State Interpreters Program (1986)
Language Access and Interpretation Training Exercises
- Consecutive Interpretation Exercise (2013)
- National Institute on the Use and Integration of Interpreters In Civil Representation of Victims of Domestic Violence Sexual Assault and Stalking – Exercise (2007)
- REACH-reaching diversity In Her Shoes
Filing a Language Access Complaint
- DOJ, Federal Coordination and Compliance Section, Complaint Form (2023)
- Notice about Investigatory Uses of Personal Information – Notice of Complaint and Interviewee Rights and Privileges (2023)
- Sample DOJ Complaint Form- Sample (2023)
- Reporting Language Access Violations When Interpreters Are Not Provided (2014)
This training and materials list is supported by Grant No. SJI-23-T-043 from the State Justice Institute. The points of view expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the State Justice Institute. This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-21-GK-02208-MUMU awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this program are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
***If you have difficulty accessing this publication please contact for assistance NIWAP at (202) 274-4457 or info@niwap.org