ABA Adopts Standards for Language Access in Courts

RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association adopts the ABA Standards for Language Access in Courts, dated February 2012;

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association urges that all courts and other adjudicatory tribunals adopt a plan to accomplish implementation of the Standards; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association urges federal and state legislative and executive branches to provide adequate funding to courts and other adjudicatory tribunals to fully implement language access services.

This resolution calls for adoption as ABA policy of Standards for Language Access in Courts.  The Standards and extensive commentary and best practices guides provide clear guidance to courts in designing, implementing, and enforcing a comprehensive system of language access services that is suited to the need in the communities they serve. A system of language access services is required as a fundamental principle of law, fairness, and access to justice, and to promote the integrity and accuracy of judicial proceedings, so that persons needing to access the court are able to do so in a language they understand, and are able to be understood by the court. The Standards were developed as a joint project of 5 ABA entities, and with the guidance of a large advisory group comprised of judges, court administrators, advocates and others.

To learn more, click here.