Delaware (joined 1996)

Language Access Coordinator Contact Jennifer Figueira, Coordinator
Court Interpreter Program, Administrative Office of the Courts
405 North. King St., Suite 507
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: (302) 255-0166
Email: jennifer.figueira@delaware.gov
Website: http://courts.delaware.gov/aoc/courtinterpreter/

Code of Ethics or Rules of Professional Conduct: http://courts.delaware.gov/forms/download.aspx?id=80538

Language Access Plan: http://courts.delaware.gov/forms/download.aspx?id=64928

Interpreter Statutes and Rules: http://courts.delaware.gov/forms/download.aspx?id=80148 ; http://courts.delaware.gov/aoc/operating-procedures/op-casemgmnt.aspx#interpreters ; http://courts.delaware.gov/aoc/courtinterpreter/

Coordination/Supervision of Interpreters: 1. Staff of each court is responsible for securing interpreter services for their court. 2. The New Castle County Courthouse is staffed with two Spanish interpreters that coordinate requests for services with schedulers, interpret for assignments and provide customer service. 3. The Coordinator schedules Spanish calendars including night court in certain jurisdictions.

Cost of Interpreter Services (including fees to freelance and salaries of staff interpreters): $500,000 - $1 Million

Budget for Language Access Program (not including direct interpreter services): $500,000 - $1 Million

Funding for Language Access Program: Court’s General Operating Budget

Compensation Range for Salaried Interpreters (spoken language): $55,000

Compensation Range for Salaried Interpreters (sign language): N/A

Compensation Range for Freelance Interpreters (spoken language): $32 - $60 per hour

Compensation Range for Freelance Interpreters (certified sign language): $65 - $85 per hour

Difference in Pay between Spanish and LOTS Interpreters:  No difference in pay for most languages. In the case of languages of lesser diffusion, however, we are able to request an exception to our Uniform Payment Schedule as needed.

Minimum Certification Requirements: Orientation Workshop, NCSC 135-Q Multiple Choice Exam at 80%, Pass NCSC Oral Examination at 70%, Criminal or Background Check, Oath of Office, Court Observation, Interpreter Shadowing, Continuing Education. More information can be accessed on our Registration and Qualification Process.

2023 Dates and Locations of Testing and Training