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 American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for the hearing impaired.
- To request an interpreter, please contact the Interpreter Coordinator in the Docketing Division at (703) 246-2221. You should provide 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 two (2) weeks in advance of the hearing date.
- To request an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter or CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) please contact the Interpreter Coordinator directly at (703) 246-2221. Requests for an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters or CART should be made at least three (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
- For incarcerated Defendant’s requiring Spanish interpreters, please contact CCRInterpreterRequest@FairfaxCounty.gov Attn: Lindsay Wilhelm.
- Attorneys are responsible for the scheduling of interpreters for jail visits for all languages other than Spanish. 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
- The Circuit Court will hire Court appointed interpreters under the following circumstances:
- Any non-English speaking individual determined to be indigent by the Circuit Court. (See Procedures below)
- Any non-English speaking individual represented by Legal Services of Northern Virginia or the Fairfax Bar Pro Bono Project.
- Any non-English speaking individual who was appointed an interpreter in either General District Court or Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and now requires an interpreter for the appeal in Circuit Court.
- Anyone requiring an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters or CART (Communication Access Real Time Translation)
- If you previously had an interpreter appointed by a lower Court, or if you are represented by counsel, it is the responsibility of you or your counsel to notify the Interpreter Coordinator at (703) 246-2221 to arrange for an interpreter to be present at your hearing. Requests for interpreters should be made at least two (2) weeks prior to the hearing date.
- To request an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter or CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) please contact the Interpreter Coordinator directly at (703) 246-2221. Requests for an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters or CART should be made at least three (3) weeks in advance.
- Please complete the forms included in the link below.
- The forms include:
- CCR Form A-310 (2pgs) Request for Court Appointed Interpreter for Civil Proceedings in the Circuit Court
- State Form CC-1414 Petition for Proceedings in Civil Case without payment of fees or costs. The form is available at this link:
- Once the forms have been completed, they may be dropped off at the 5th Floor Chambers Suite 501 or emailed to: CCRInterpreterRequest@FairfaxCounty.gov
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.
