LANGUAGE ACCESS
interpreter and language services
Individuals, under federal law and state policy, are entitled to language assistance including an interpreter or translation services if the individual cannot speak or understand English or if hearing impaired.
Please contact the Court’s Language Access Coordinator for assistance:
Shannon C. Sims
Deputy Judicial Administrator
2700 Tulane Avenue, Suite 200
New Orleans, LA 70119
Office: 504.658.9100
Email: [email protected]
Please contact the Court’s Language Access Coordinator for assistance:
Shannon C. Sims
Deputy Judicial Administrator
2700 Tulane Avenue, Suite 200
New Orleans, LA 70119
Office: 504.658.9100
Email: [email protected]
do you need a court interpreter?
Louisiana Courts are committed to providing persons of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) with meaningful access to court proceedings, programs and activities in compliance with the Louisiana Supreme Court’s May 2019 Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Department of Justice and in compliance with Louisiana Legislative Act 32/SB 103, effective August 1, 2024.
The Louisiana Judiciary is required to provide interpreters for hearings and proceedings conducted in all Louisiana courts, as well as certain court-related services. Interpreters are provided at no cost for individuals who are parties or witnesses in court proceedings.
Only court-appointed interpreters can serve as official interpreters in the courtroom.
Family or friends cannot serve as official court interpreters.
Your attorney cannot serve as an official court interpreter.
You will not be charged for a court interpreter or language access services.
Should an LEP individual be involved in a court proceeding or in court operations (specialty courts, drug testing, collections, etc.), Criminal District Court identifies the LEP individuals at their initial appearance in court. LEP individuals may also be identified by Pretrial Services staff, counsel, the District Attorney’s Office, the Orleans Public Defenders’ Office and/or the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, who must inform the Court that an interpreter is needed prior to the initial court proceeding, or any other court proceeding. The individual and/or attorney of record, will request an interpreter prior to the court proceeding directly from the Court to which the proceeding is allotted.
Request may also be made to the Language Access Coordinator.
View the links below for more information on Court Interpreters.
The Louisiana Judiciary is required to provide interpreters for hearings and proceedings conducted in all Louisiana courts, as well as certain court-related services. Interpreters are provided at no cost for individuals who are parties or witnesses in court proceedings.
Only court-appointed interpreters can serve as official interpreters in the courtroom.
Family or friends cannot serve as official court interpreters.
Your attorney cannot serve as an official court interpreter.
You will not be charged for a court interpreter or language access services.
Should an LEP individual be involved in a court proceeding or in court operations (specialty courts, drug testing, collections, etc.), Criminal District Court identifies the LEP individuals at their initial appearance in court. LEP individuals may also be identified by Pretrial Services staff, counsel, the District Attorney’s Office, the Orleans Public Defenders’ Office and/or the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, who must inform the Court that an interpreter is needed prior to the initial court proceeding, or any other court proceeding. The individual and/or attorney of record, will request an interpreter prior to the court proceeding directly from the Court to which the proceeding is allotted.
Request may also be made to the Language Access Coordinator.
View the links below for more information on Court Interpreters.