Applications are now being accepted for the next state court interpreter orientation workshops to be held on the major islands in February and March. Completion of this two-day workshop is one of the mandatory requirements of becoming a court interpreter
Applications are now being accepted for the next state court interpreter orientation workshops to be held on the major islands in February and March.
Completion of this two-day workshop is one of the mandatory requirements of becoming a court interpreter for the Hawai‘i State Judiciary.
Certified sign language interpreters are also encouraged to apply.
The two-day workshop on Kaua‘i will be held 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on March 8 and March 9 at the Lihu‘e courthouse.
The registration desk is open at 8 a.m. both days.
In addition to completing the orientation workshop, persons seeking to become a state court interpreter must pass a written English proficiency exam and a court interpreter ethics exam.
Applicants also must clear a criminal background check.
Court interpreters work on a freelance basis as independent contractors in criminal and certain civil cases when parties or witnesses are unable to hear, understand, speak or use English sufficiently.
Depending on their performance on written and oral exams, court interpreters are paid between $25 to $55 per hour with a two-hour minimum.
The workshop registration fee is $85.
A grant from the Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation and Hawaii Friends of Justice and Civic Education is being used to lower the cost from the original $120 fee.
Application forms are available on the State Judiciary’s website and from the Office on Equality and Access to the Courts at 539-4860.
