Will the Court provide a sign language or spoken language interpreter in my bankruptcy case?

Answer: 

In a bankruptcy case, the parties are responsible for providing interpreter services for court proceedings as well as communications between counsel and the parties, but the Court will provide interpreter services in three very limited instances:

1) When a court proceeding is instituted by the United States, the Court will provide a spoken language interpreter for a party or witness who the judge determines speaks only or primarily a language other than English so as to inhibit that person's understanding or communication in the proceeding. 

2) In any court proceeding the Court will provide a sign language interpreter or other auxiliary aides and services to a participant in the proceeding who is deaf, hearing-impaired or has a communication disability that inhibits that person's understanding or communication in the proceeding.

3) For a Court hearing of less than 30 minutes, the Court will provide a spoken language interpreter via telephone to assist a self-represented party who the judge determines lacks sufficient English language proficiency to effectively participate in the hearing.  A spoken language telephone interpreter may be requested during or prior to a hearing by contacting the courtroom deputy for the hearing judge.

FAQ Category: 
Requesting an Interpreter