Interpreter Requests Guidelines
GUIDELINES FOR ATTORNEYS
FOR USE OF INTERPRETERS DURING HEARINGS
SAN PEDRO IMMIGRATION COURT
The court is required to provide an interpreter for any respondent whose best
language is not English. This requirement imposes added costs to the Immigration
Courts. Effective immediately, the following are the guidelines that attorneys
and respondents should follow when requesting an interpreter either for the
respondent or a witness:
1. Immigration Judge must be notified at the time of the first hearing that an interpreter will be needed for prospective witnesses. If, during the course of case preparation you determine that an interpreter will be needed, please advise the court in writing, no less than five days prior to the scheduled hearing, that an interpreter will be needed for a witness. The request must include the information on #2 below, and the language and dialect desired.
2. Respondent or his/her attorney should indicate how long he/she expects the witness(es) to testify (in total, including cross examination).
3. If, during the course of preparation for the merits hearing, the attorney or respondent decides that an interpreter will not be needed for a witness, they are to notify the court at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing that the interpreter is no longer needed. The notification must be received by the Immigration Court at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled hearing time. The court's telephone number is (310) 241-2424.
4. If an interpreter is ordered for a witness, due to budgetary constraints and interpreter costs, attorneys are expected to call the witness first so the interpreter can be dismissed as soon as possible.
5. Attorneys are expected to appear timely at the scheduled hearing time. Late attorneys cause additional expense to the court and loss of valuable hearing time.