All Mississippi courthouses will soon have signs reminding non-English speakers of their rights to an interpreter.
Per state law, people who cannot speak English or are limited in English proficiency can have an interpreter free of charge during court proceedings. The new signs have already been delivered to some courthouses and are on the way to others, according to a news release.
The following phrase will be written in Mississippi’s most common non-English languages of Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, French, Arabic, Tagalog, German, Korean, and Gujrati:
“You are entitled to an interpreter at no cost to you. Please go to the Clerk’s office to request an interpreter. The Clerk will call an interpreter to assist you.”
The first counties to receive the signs were Warren, Claiborne, Jefferson, Adams, Lee, Itawamba, Prentiss, Tishomingo, Alcorn, and Tippah. Signs are being posted in circuit courts, chancery courts, county courts, youth courts, justice courts, and municipal courts.
Deenie Miller, director of language access for the Administrative Office of Courts, has been visiting with court personnel to deliver the signs and explain statutory changes enacted through a state law that went into effect on July 1, 2023, requiring qualified language interpreters for people who have difficulty with the English language.
“It has been a great experience visiting each courthouse. The judges, clerks, and court staff that I have had the opportunity to meet with have been very appreciative of the signs and the in-person visits,” Miller said. “I have been able to answer questions and offer guidance regarding some of the logistical issues that clerks face with finding and scheduling interpreters. I look forward to continuing my travels throughout Mississippi to visit each courthouse in the state.”
Under the recently enacted law, court appointments of a qualified interpreter are required in criminal and civil cases, with the cost being covered by the county or municipality. Requirements for access to a qualified interpreter include any instance arising out of or pertaining to the individual’s involvement in litigation, extending to litigants and witnesses in all phases of the criminal justice process.
“The purpose of the new laws is to put [limited English proficient] individuals on equal footing as those that are native English speakers,” Miller continued.
The Administrative Office of Courts and the Access to Justice Commission also cited progress in translating an array of civil forms and flyers to limited English proficient individuals. Topics of such material have included how to get an attorney, child custody, divorce, domestic abuse, guardianships and conservatorships, paternity, wills, bankruptcy, and eviction.
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