The Vermont Judiciary is committed to ensuring that people who have a limited ability to speak, read, write, or understand English as well as people who are Deaf or hearing impaired have meaningful access to the Judiciary’s programs and services.

Right to an Interpreter

If you do not speak English as your primary language and have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English, then you have a right to a court-appointed interpreter, and the Vermont Judiciary will provide you with an interpreter at no cost to you so that you can access or participate in court proceedings or services.

If you are Deaf or hearing impaired, you have a right to an interpreter or other accommodation to help you with any communication, and the Vermont Judiciary will provide you with an interpreter at no cost to you so that you can access or participate in court proceedings or services.

Each courthouse displays the INTERPRETER SERVICES/ I SPEAK poster in a visible place. The poster is designed to communicate to Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals in multiple languages, including ASL.

 

Asking for an Interpreter

You may ask for an interpreter by:

  1. Contacting the courthouse and asking any employee of the Judiciary to assign you an interpreter; or
  2. Filling out the form below to request an interpreter at a date and time when you have scheduled business with the court

If possible, please contact the court before your scheduled hearing or appointment.

Click on the appropriate link to below to request an interpreter:

Overview

Many people in Vermont do not speak English. Others have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English. Still others are Deaf or hard of hearing. All of these people have a right to access the programs and services of the Vermont courts. This right also applies to the programs and services of organizations receiving funding from the Judiciary.

The Judiciary provides interpreting and translating services at no cost. An interpreter converts spoken words or words conveyed in sign language from one language to a different language. A translator converts text written in one language to text written in another language.

If you are a party to or witness in a court proceeding or are the parent of a minor involved in a juvenile action and you believe you need an interpreter or translator, please contact staff at your local court, or you may file a written request with the judge in your case.

The Judiciary's translation and interpretation work is detailed in the Language Access Plan and Language Access Operations Manual:

 

Court Proceedings That Qualify for Interpreting Services

Please refer to Section II. A. "Definition of Terms" of the Language Access Operations Manual.

 

Court Proceedings That Do Not Qualify for Interpreting Services

Examples of proceedings that are not covered by the Judiciary's policy include:

  • Discussions between lawyers and their clients
  • Interrogations conducted as part of a police investigation
  • Programs ordered as a condition of probation or parole
  • Settlement discussions

Please keep in mind that other individuals or entities might be required to provide interpreting or translation services for these proceedings.

For more information about the Judiciary's Language Access Program and services, please see the Vermont Judiciary Language Access Plan and Language Access Operations Manual.

I Need An Interpreter

If you do not speak English as your primary language and have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English, then you have a right to a court-appointed interpreter, and the Vermont Judiciary will provide you with an interpreter at no cost to you so that you can access or participate in court proceedings or services.

If you are Deaf or hearing impaired, you have a right to an interpreter or other accommodation to help you with any communication, and the Vermont Judiciary will provide you with an interpreter at no cost to you so that you can access or participate in court proceedings or services.

Each courthouse displays the INTERPRETER SERVICES/ I SPEAK poster in a visible place. The poster is designed to communicate to Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals in multiple languages, including ASL.

You may ask for an interpreter by:

  1. Contacting the courthouse and asking any employee of the Judiciary to assign you an interpreter; or
  2. Filling out the form below to request an interpreter at a date and time when you have scheduled business with the court

If possible, please contact the court before your scheduled hearing or appointment.

Click on the appropriate link to below to request an interpreter:

To Interpret with the Vermont Judiciary

The Vermont Judiciary maintains an active list of court interpreters who provide their services to court proceedings and court-managed functions.

If you would like to be included on this list, please email your certifications/credentials obtained from other States and your Resume to jud.languageaccess@vermont.gov.

Complaints/Feedback

Click on the appropriate link to below to file a complaint regarding an interpreter: