Administrative Office of Courts
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Court language interpreter seminar set for June 21-22 in Long Beach May 10, 2017 A seminar for prospective court language interpreters will be held June 21 and 22 at the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Campus, 730 East Beach Boulevard in Long Beach. Participation in the Ethics and Skill Building Seminar is the first step in the program which will train, certify, and test individuals who wish to serve as interpreters in Mississippi courtrooms. Candidates to become interpreters must already be fluent in English and a second language, and must have or develop an understanding of court proceedings. The seminar will provide an introduction to court proceedings. The program will introduce participants to the role of the court language interpreter, ethical requirements, modes of interpretation and credentialing requirements. The registration deadline is June 2. A registration fee of $100 includes the seminar and lunch for both days. The registration form is at this link: https://courts.ms.gov/aoc/courtinterpreter/forms/JUNE%202017%20REGISTRATION%20FORM.pdf Participants should arrive by 8 a.m. June 21 to sign in. Presentations are scheduled 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 21 and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 22. A written examination will be given June 23 for participants who wish to pursue certification and be able to work in Mississippi court proceedings. The written exam will be given at the same location as the seminar, from 9 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., with check-in beginning at 8:30 a.m. The deadline to register for the written exam is June 2. The Administrative Office of Courts developed the Mississippi Court Interpreter Credentialing Program to assist state courts in their endeavors to provide equal access to justice for limited English proficiency individuals. The AOC program provides all state courts with a list of language interpreters who have demonstrated proficiency in oral and written interpretation of court proceedings. The credentialing program provides two levels of proficiency: registered and certified. Certified is the more advanced level. The registry is at this link https://courts.ms.gov/aoc/courtinterpreter/registry.php Twenty-two interpreters currently are credentialed by AOC. Languages include Spanish, Mandarin Chinese and Russian. Credentialed interpreters include 20 Spanish speakers, one Russian speaker, and one who speaks Mandarin Chinese. There is a need for Vietnamese speakers, but none have been credentialed yet. Ten interpreters are certified, and 12 are registered. Interpreters live in Biloxi, Brandon, Clinton, French Camp, Gulfport, Hazlehurst, Meridian, Newton, Ocean Springs, Oxford, Tupelo and Vicksburg as well as Cordova, Goodlettsville, Memphis and Nashville, Tenn., North Augusta, S.C., and New Orleans. AOC adopted Standards for Court Interpreters and a Code of Ethics for Court Interpreters on Oct. 17, 2011. The rules for court interpreters apply to municipal court, justice court, youth court, county court, circuit court, chancery court and grand jury proceedings. For additional information, contact Administrative Office of Courts Deputy Director Ta’Shia Gordon at 601-576-4632. #### |
