State Judiciary Seeks Court Interpreters

Hilo courthouse. File photo.

Are you bilingual with English as one of the languages you speak?

Court interpreters are currently being sought by the Hawai’i State Judiciary.

Free informational sessions for individuals interested in becoming a state court interpreter are scheduled on the Big Island beginning next week, hosted by the Judiciary’s Office on Equality and Access to the Courts.

Two meetings will be held on March 10 in Hilo. The first meeting will take place from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo Campus Center, room 301, and the second will run from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the County of Hawai’i Aging & Disability Resource Center Training Room.

On March 17 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., an additional meeting will be held at the West Hawai’i Civic Center, Community Meeting Hale.

Court interpreters work on a freelance basis as independent contractors in cases when parties or witnesses are unable to hear, understand, speak, or use English sufficiently.

Anyone who becomes a court interpreter is required to complete an orientation workshop and pass a written English proficiency exam and court interpreter ethics exam, as well as clear a criminal background check.

Depending on their performance on written and/or oral exams, court interpreters are paid between $25 to $55 per hour with a two-hour minimum.

To learn more about becoming a court interpreter, visit the State Courts website.