Legal Interpreting Guidelines in Utah

Regulations for legal interpreters in Utah differ from those in other states. Legal Language Services ranks Utah as a state with moderately regulated legal interpreting requirements.

Your legal interpreter must have the appropriate level of certification that meets your language needs. This is especially true if you require an interpreter who will be working in a courtroom. This does not mean, however, that you should hire a certified interpreter for every situation.

Whether or not an interpreter is certified — let alone the level of certification — will have an effect on how much you are charged for legal interpreting services. Due to the added cost of certified professionals, it may not be a sound strategy to use certified legal interpreters if certification is not legally required for your proceeding.

In fact, some situations may not benefit from certified interpreters. In particular, where subject matter expertise and/or special skills are required, certification may be a secondary consideration in securing a competent interpreter.

As previously noted, non-certified legal interpreters can provide professional interpreting services at a more affordable price. As in other states, a certified interpreter will command a higher fee for legal interpreting services. Prices will be affected based on the level of certification.

Legal Language can help you determine the best interpreter, certified or otherwise, for your legal interpreting needs in Utah.

Requirements for Certified Interpreters in Utah

Utah state authorities periodically offer exams, both written and oral, for certification in Spanish based on the guidelines of the Consortium for State Court Interpreter Certification.

Classification of Interpreters in Utah

The Utah State Courts system defines legal interpreters in the following ways:

  • Certified Interpreter: An interpreter who attained the basic requirements of an English diagnostic test, passed a test on the Interpreter Code of Professional Responsibility, attended a one-day orientation workshop, a background check, and 10 hours of observation, completed a seven-day training course and passed a three-part examination offered by the Consortium for Language Access in the Courts. A certified interpreter must be used unless one is not reasonably available.
  • Approved Interpreter: An interpreter who has passed a written exam, an Oral Proficiency Interview, and a test on the Interpreter Code of Professional Responsibility, attended a one-day orientation seminar, did 10 hours of observation and passed a criminal background check.
  • Registered 1: Has completed the basic requirements of an English diagnostic test, a test on the Interpreter Code of Professional Responsibility, a one-day orientation workshop, a background check and 10 hours of observation. There is no examination available in the language for certified or approved credentials.
  • Registered 2: Has completed the basic requirements of an English diagnostic test, a test on the Interpreter Code of Professional Responsibility, a one-day orientation workshop, a background check and 10 hours of observation. Has not taken or has not passed the examination available for certified or approved credentials.
  • Conditionally Approved: Vetted by the appointing authority for suitability in the particular hearing.

Not all venues in Utah require certified interpreters, even for Spanish-language cases. Please consult with Legal Language Services for the rules pertaining to your specific venue and language.

Judicial Districts in Utah

There are eight judicial districts in Utah encompassing 29 counties. Certification requirements in Utah are statewide and remain consistent across all local jurisdictions.

Call Legal Language Services at 1-800-788-0450 to find Utah interpreters who meet state interpreting rules for courtroom trials, hearings, depositions, arbitrations and other legal proceedings.

Please Note

The content provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The information about legal interpreting guidelines in Utah is believed to be accurate at the time of posting; however, Legal Language Services is not responsible for any errors or omissions.

 
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