Court interpreters tell Judicial Council pay disparity is creating workforce crisis

Dozens of court interpreters addressed the Judicial Council during public comment, urging the branch to address long-standing pay disparities and growing workforce shortages that they said are undermining court language access. "Imagine yourself in a court proceeding in a foreign language getting maybe 6 out of 10 words being spoken," Jean Garacha, a San Francisco staff interpreter, told the council, warning that lowering certification standards would jeopardize due process.

Speakers described a pattern in which staff interpreters earn substantially less than contract interpreters and other court professionals, and many are forced to take second jobs. "Staff and contract interpreters have the same skills and provide the same service, but staff interpreters work longer hours under less favorable working conditions and earn far less," Laura Villanueva said. Witnesses urged investment in recruitment, retention, and competitive compensation rather than lowering certification pass scores. Administrative Presiding Justice Brad Hill, who managed public comment, acknowledged the testimony and noted the council's recent budget actions that include targeted funding for interpreter costs.