Legal interpretation

Accurate interpretation between English and other languages in legal proceedings requires a level of language proficiency often underestimated by participants in the courtroom. Inadequate interpretation in cases involving witnesses or defendants whose native language is not English can lead to errors which threaten the integrity of the justice process.

See also:
Courts & judicial process > Fairness & access in the courts

Alaska Natives > Alaska Natives & the courts

Justice Center articles & reports
(in reverse chronological order)

• Moras, Antonia. (Winter 2006). "Language Interpretation and the Justice System." Alaska Justice Forum 22(4): 1, 5-8.
• "Interpreting and Translating in Alaska's Legal System: Further Discussion" by Phyllis Morrow. Alaska Justice Forum 17(3), Fall 2000.
• "Court Interpreting: Complexities and Misunderstandings" by Haydee Claus. Alaska Justice Forum 13(4), Winter 1997.
• "Committees Examine Interpretation". Alaska Justice Forum 13(4), Winter 1997.
• "Legal Interpreting in Alaska" by Phyllis Morrow. Alaska Justice Forum 10(4), Winter 1994.
• "A Sociolinguistic Mismatch: Central Alaskan Yup'iks and the Legal System" by Phyllis Morrow. Alaska Justice Forum 10(2), Summer 1993.

National associations

• National Center for State Courts: Court Interpretation
• National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT)