Douglas G. Denton, Principal Manager
Language Access Services Program
Judicial Council of California
455 Golden Gate Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94102-3688
Email: LAP@jud.ca.gov
California Courts Language Access Services Website
- Become a Court Interpreter
- Current Court Interpreters
- Language Access Resources for Courts
- Studies and Reports
Strategic Plan for Language Access in the California Courts
Advisory Committee on Providing Access and Fairness
Court Interpreters Advisory Panel
Interpreter Statutes and Rules: Cal. Const., Article I § 14; Cal. Government Code §§ 68560-68566; Cal. Rules of Court, Rules 2.890-2.895
Coordination/Supervision of Interpreters: California has approximately 1,942 total court employee court interpreters and independent contractor court interpreters that are coordinated and supervised by individual trial courts. Cross assignments of employee interpreters to other courts are coordinated through the Judicial Council's Regional Court Interpreter Coordinator.
Cost of Interpreter Services (including fees to independent contractors and salaries of staff interpreters): Court interpreter expenditure reports are available at https://languageaccess.courts.ca.gov/about/studies-and-reports.
Budget for Language Access Program (not including direct interpreter services): Approximately $6 million, including the following: Judicial Council staff supporting language access; test development and administration; interpreter compliance activities; signage and technology grants for courts; interpreter credential review and education; and program and policy development.
Funding for Language Access Program: Governor’s Budget Act
Compensation Range for Salaried Interpreters (certified/registered spoken language): $85,956 - $104,475 for FTE per year (depending on region)
Compensation Range for Salaried Interpreters (certified ASL): $85,956 - $104,475 per year for FTE (depending on region)
Compensation Range for Freelance Interpreters (certified/registered spoken language): Full-day: $350; Half-day: $175; Hourly: $44–with local discretion to meet unique needs
Compensation Range for Freelance Interpreters (certified ASL): Per CA Evidence Code section 754(i), the prevailing rate paid to court employed interpreters
Difference in Pay between Spanish and LOTS Interpreters: Unknown