HARTFORD, Conn. — State court officials across the country are taking issue with a U.S. Justice Department directive that they provide language interpreters free of charge to people with limited English skills — not only in courtrooms but in all court-related programs.
The heads of groups representing state chief justices and court administrators recently expressed their concerns to Attorney General Eric Holder. They say the Justice Department is going too far in its interpretation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
State officials don't dispute the right of people to interpreters, but they question whether they must provide free interpreters in civil court cases and in non-courtroom settings.
Last month, the Justice Department reached an agreement with Colorado officials to resolve complaints that state courts were not providing interpreters in all cases. The Department is also investigating similar complaints in North Carolina.