Court Interpreting Information and Resources for Remote Interpreting

Guidance from the Court Interpreter Commission on COVID-19

• Updated Guidance Memorandum   (dated 4/27/2020)
• Guide to Working with Interpreters during COVID-19
• Court Interpreter Forum (COVID-19)

Best Practices

• Remote Interpreting Best Practices (Interpreter Commission)
• Telephone Interpreting - Best Practices (Interpreter Commission)
• Zoom: Accessibility for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (ABA)
• Best Practices: Facilitating Remote Appearance Technology for The Court and the Litigants in the Domestic Relations Divisions (Florida)

Interpreter Scheduling Resources

• Quick Tips for Scheduling Interpreters for Telephonic or Video Remote Hearings
• Interpreter Scheduling Form - Telephonic or Video Remote Hearings   (Information to give the interpreter)
• Interpreter Information Form   (Information to get back from the interpreter)

Materials for Remote Hearings

Hearing Notice for Court Users:

• Kirkland Municipal Court's Notice of Virtual Hearing  (includes a Spanish translation)

Text Instructions on using remote platforms:

• Guide for Court Staff on using the Zoom Interpreting Feature  (from the Arizona AOC)
• Instructions for interpreters for Zoom hearings  (from Hawaii)
• Instructions for interpreters for WebEx hearings  (from Hawaii)
• WebEx Instructions  (from Oregon Judicial Department)
• MS Teams Platform  (from Connecticut)
• Instructions Templates for Court Users  (Transcend Translations)
• Tips related to Interpreting in Virtual Courtrooms: General Tips, Hosts Tips, Interpreter Tips, Judges Tips  (from New Jersey)

Video Instructions on using remote platforms:

• Videoconferencing instructions by language: Links to video tutorials in multiple languages for several platforms
• Demonstration of Setting up the Interpreter Feature in Zoom
• How to Prepare for a Remote Court Hearing (from New Jersey)
• Zoom Simultaneous Interpreting for Judges and Court Users: Demonstrates simultaneous and
  consecutive interpreting, how the audio channels work, and how courts can set up and start a
  remote hearing when using the Zoom interpreter feature. (From Arkansas)

Training Modules

• Online Training Modules for Judges, Court Staff and Others (NCSC - Click on Training Programs for VRI Interpreters)

Translation Resources

• Translation Resources and Helpful Links
• Translated COVID-19 Protection Order Court Access Notification in 14 languages
• Improving Access to Public Websites and Digital Services for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Persons  

Washington State Courts

• Supreme Court Orders Response to COVID-19
• Court Closures and Individual Court Administrative Orders

National Resources

• Remote Proceedings Toolkit
• National Center for State Courts Resources
• American Bar Association Resources
• Oregon Judicial Department - COVID Interpreting Toolkit

Contact Us

Do you have questions about these resources or do you have additional resources you would like to share?
Contact us at: interpreters@courts.wa.gov