How to Request an Interpreter
Criminal Proceedings
- Interpreters in Court
- Pursuant to §19.2-164 of the Virginia Code, the Circuit Court will appoint interpreters in all criminal cases involving non-English speaking defendants, victims, and witnesses. This also includes sign language interpreters for the hearing impaired.
- To request an interpreter, please contact the Criminal Docket Clerk in the Docketing Division at (703) 246-4946. You should provide the Criminal Docket Clerk with the Defendant’s name, the case number, the date of the hearing, and the type of interpreter needed. A request for an interpreter should be made at least one week in advance of the hearing date.
- To request a sign language interpreter or CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) please contact the Interpreter Coordinator directly at (703) 246-4111 (TTY 703-352-4139 through Virginia Relay 711). Requests for sign language interpreters or CART should be made at least 3 weeks in advance.
- Attorneys are not to request specific interpreters, unless that attorney has made separate arrangements for the payment of the interpreter. The Court will not provide payment for any interpreter who has been hired directly by counsel rather than by the Court.
- Interpreters for Jail Visits
- Attorneys are responsible for the scheduling of interpreters for jail visits. The attorney can contact any interpreter on the Circuit Court’s approved interpreter list to complete the jail visit. Please note that the interpreter who interprets for the jail visit is not automatically assigned to that case to interpret in subsequent court proceedings.
Civil Proceedings
How to Become an Interpreter
Interpreters assist individuals with limited English proficiency in overcoming language limitations to ensure universal access to Virginia’s Judicial System. Interpreters are highly skilled professions who fulfill an essential role in the administration of justice. And the purpose of the certification program is to better ensure that language interpreters are competent to perform such services in a court environment.
