The Pennsylvania courts provide 

interpreters for all court hearings and 

proceedings, as well as for certain 

court-administered or managed 

services, programs and activities. 

Interpreters are provided at no cost 

to any party, witness or victim in civil 

and criminal proceedings.

Have feedback or concerns 
about language services in 
Pennsylvania courts?
	 Download a comment or complaint form at 

Languageaccess.pacourts.us and submit to the 
local language access coordinator.

For more information 
regarding court services: 
	 Language access coordinator for each judicial 

district in Pennsylvania:  
Languageaccess.pacourts.us 

	 Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, 
coordinator for court access: 215-560-6300

Do you need a  
court interpreter? 

What can you expect? 
	 The interpreter may speak with you 

before the hearing begins to make sure 
that you understand each other.

	 Interpreters sometimes use special 
equipment in the courtroom and will 
explain how it all works.

	 If there is anything that you do not 

understand during the court proceeding, 
inform your interpreter immediately.

	 When the judge or attorneys ask you 

questions, the interpreter will interpret 
everything you say into English. 

	 The interpreter will use the first person 
during interpretation. He or she will 
say “I” when interpreting what you are 
saying, and will refer to him/herself as 
the “interpreter.”

	 If the interpreter does not understand 
something you say, he or she will ask 
the judge’s permission to ask you to 
repeat or clarify what you meant.

	 If you speak fast or give long answers, 
the interpreter may ask you to pause to 
allow for interpretation.

Do you need an interpreter 
to communicate with court 
staff outside the courtroom?

The Pennsylvania courts offer telephone 
interpretation services throughout the 
courthouse at no cost. “I Speak” cards 
and “Your Right to Interpreter” posters are 
located in public places.

To ask for the assistance of an interpreter, 
you can either pick up an “I Speak” card 
in your language, say the name of your 
language or point to your language on one 
of the posters. A court employee will arrange 
for an interpreter to assist you by phone. 

Who is qualified to be a 
court interpreter?

Only interpreters, both certified and 
otherwise qualified, listed on the 
Administrative Office of PA Courts (AOPC) 
roster are qualified to interpret in court.

Interpreters on the AOPC roster have 
received training and passed examinations.

“Otherwise qualified” interpreters must:  
meet requirements under state law and be 
listed on AOPC’s roster, answer questions 
at the beginning of the court proceeding 
about their interpreting experience and 
ability, and show they understand and agree 
to follow rules of professional conduct for 
interpreters.

How do you request a 
court interpreter?
	 The language access coordinator 
for the court where you have a 
proceeding can arrange for an 
interpreter for you. 

	 If you have received a hearing notice 
or a subpoena, a “Notice of Language 
Rights” was included. The contact 
information for your language access 
coordinator is located on that notice.

	 Contact your language access 

coordinator as soon as possible 
regarding the date, time and location 
of your hearing or proceeding, as well 
as the language you speak.

Please visit Languageaccess.pacourts.us  to find a language access coordinator.

Important: It is your responsibility to notify Court Administration if you no longer 
need an interpreter.