The California Judicial Council adopted a Language Access Plan which provides a statewide approach to ensure language access throughout the courts for limited English proficient (LEP) individuals. The San Diego Superior Court is working to implement the various recommendations included in the Language Access Plan. The San Diego Superior Court is committed to providing language access services to LEP court users.
The court's policy is, given available resources and in accordance with applicable law, to provide an interpreter, at no cost, to parties, witnesses, and persons with significant interest in a case; for all courtroom proceedings and all court-ordered, court-operated programs. Court-ordered, court-operated programs include any program, service, or event that is both ordered by the court and operated or managed by the court.
Requesting an Interpreter
A request must be made for each courtroom proceeding and for each court-ordered, court-operated program for which an interpreter is requested and/or cancelled. To request an interpreter, a party may complete the Interpreter Request/Cancellation form (SDSC Form #ADM-348) and should do so as far in advance of the hearing as possible. The Interpreter Request/Cancellation form may be submitted at the business office during normal business hours or mailed to the court location noted on the court paperwork. If an interpreter is not available at the time of the hearing or scheduled program, the court may continue the case until an interpreter can be assigned or utilize a telephone interpreting service. If the customer has someone available to interpret for them, they may elect to use that person to interpret if appropriate.
Canceling an Interpreter
If a previously scheduled interpreter is no longer needed for a court proceeding or program, the court must be notified immediately. To cancel an interpreter, a party may complete the Interpreter Request/Cancellation form (SDSC Form #ADM-348) and should do so as far in advance of the proceeding/program as possible. The Interpreter Request/Cancellation form may be submitted at the business office during normal business hours or mailed to the court location noted on the court paperwork.
Complaint Process
Complaints about Language Access services may be made by completing and submitting the Language Access Services Complaint form (SDSC Form #ADM-368) and should be submitted as soon as possible following the incident. The Language Access Services Complaint form is also available in Spanish for informational purposes only and cannot be submitted to the court (SDSC Form #ADM-368S). Complaints regarding a specific court interpreter, that may result in disciplinary sanctions at the state credentialing level, may be submitted to Judicial Council. Information is available on the Judicial Council Court Interpreter Complaints page. Complaints about a court case should not be included on the complaint form and will not be addressed by the court. The complaint form may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to the address below:
Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
Language Access Services
PO Box 120128
San Diego, CA 92112
American Sign Language Interpreter
To request an ASL interpreter, use Request for Accommodations by Persons with Disabilities and Response (SDSC Form ADM-410). The completed form can be emailed to the ADA Coordinator at [email protected].
Questions
Questions regarding the scheduling or cancelling of an interpreter, or for language access assistance, can be emailed to [email protected].
Google Translate
The court's website can be viewed in over 100 languages using the language selection menu located in the upper right-hand corner of the website.