Language Access in the Courts: A Needs Assessment

In 2013, the Nebraska Judicial Branch will develop a Language Access Plan with recommendations for improving the provision of interpreter services in the state courts. As part of this process, the Judicial Branch is conducting an assessment to obtain stakeholder feedback on the quality and availability of court interpreter services. Stakeholders for this survey include: attorneys, court personnel, judges, probation personnel, OJS personnel, DHHS personnel, diversion providers and representatives from any other entity providing services related to the courts.

Please assist us with this process by taking 10 minutes to complete this brief electronic survey. A response by December 21st is appreciated. Your responses will be treated confidentially and will not be presented in a manner that identifies individual respondents. Thank you in advance for your feedback and assistance in improving our state court system.

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* 1. Please indicate your level of agreement with each statement:

  No Opinion Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
Judges make every effort to accommodate non-English speaking defendants, witnesses, etc.
Court personnel make every effort to accommodate non-English speaking defendants, witnesses, etc..
Probation personnel make every effort to accommodate non-English speaking defendants, victims, parents, etc.
Service providers make every effort to accommodate non-English speaking probationers.
I believe that the courts are meeting the needs of the LEP communities.
I think that the courts should provide more training for interpreters.
I think that court personnel need more training on the role and function of court interpreters.
Interpreters receive fair compensation for their services.
I am comfortable using remote interpreter services via technology.
Interpreters are generally available in the languages requested.
Interpreters used by the court are qualified and competent.
Interpreters used by probation are qualified and competent.
Interpreters used by service providers are qualified and competent.

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* 2. To what extent are you concerned about the following with respect to the provision of interpreter services?

  No Opinion Not Concerned Somewhat Concerned Concerned Strongly Concerned
Finding the right languages
Communicating with deaf communities
Understanding cultural issues
Scheduling in-court matters for Limited English Proficient and deaf populations
Scheduling out-of-court matters for Limited English Proficient and deaf populations
Translating written material
Getting parties to the right place at the right time

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* 3. In the last two years, are you aware of any situations where a Limited English Proficient individual needed an interpreter but didn't have one?

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* 4. Are you aware of any points in the system, prior to court proceedings, where Limited English Proficient individual may need interpreter services but do not have access to them?

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* 5. Are you aware of any points in the system, following court proceedings, where individuals who are Limited English Proficient may need interpreter services but do not have access to them?

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* 6. Have you ever received a complaint regarding the quality of language interpreter services?

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* 7. If you did receive a complaint regarding interpreter services, what process would you use to handle the complaint?

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* 8. Has your court or agency experienced any of these problems with interpreters (check all that apply)?

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* 9. In your opinion, which languages, if any, lack a sufficient representation of certified or registered interpreters?

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* 10. To your knowledge, which counties, if any, lack a sufficient representation of certified or registered interpreters?

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* 11. In your opinion, how could efforts to recruit interpreters be improved?

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* 12. What recommendations would you make to improve interpreter services?

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