Interpreting services for both non-English speaking and deaf or hearing impaired individuals are available to help eliminate any communication barrier that may exist that would prevent parties from fully participating in the court proceedings and to ensure due process and equal access to the courts.  

Interpreting for Non-English speaking: Qualified interpreters are provided at  no cost to indigent parties that are scheduled to appear for criminal proceedings in circuit or county court, dependency and delinquency hearings, Baker Acts, domestic violence proceedings, Title IV-D hearings, and limited other events where interpretation is necessary. 

Some rare or unusual languages, as well as any unscheduled interpreting need  may require *Language Line Services, which are telephonic interpreting services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Private Attorneys: Defendants that have obtained private counsel would not receive a foreign language interpreter at no cost, however; Court Administration can assist attorneys in locating court interpreters to assist in these proceedings and the interpreter would be compensated by the requesting party.

Interpreting for the deaf or hearing impaired: Qualified Interpreting services for the deaf and  assistance through assistive listening devices is provided at no cost for judicial proceedings to ensure that communications for deaf or hearing impaired parties are as effective as communications with other participants.

ASL (American Sign Language) or Real Time reporting are available for deaf individuals.  In addition, several of the courtrooms have infrared listening systems that enhance the volume of proceedings for those who may be hard of hearing.

Persons needing an interpreter or listening device should contact the court at least 7 days in advance to make the necessary arrangements.  Please refer to the ADA Accommodations Request form.

Persons Interested in Becoming Interpreters: To learn more about interpreting opportunities in the First Circuit call Court Administration at 850-595-4400. 

To view necessary qualifications for interpreting in the First Circuit and throughout the State of Florida go to the following website: www.flcourts.org/gen_public/interpret/index.shtml

Most foreign language interpreting and arrangements for hearing devices or sign language interpreting is scheduled in advance of the proceedings. If you feel that you are in need of these services and want to confirm that an interpreter has been scheduled for your event, you may contact the following:

* Language Line:  For more information call Language Line customer service: 1-800-752-6096 ext. 1 or find them on the web at:   http://languageline.com