Arizona's state court system is moving to require certification of foreign-language interpreters used by courts.
Under Arizona's program, courts that employ full-time language interpreters will be required to have their interpreters credentialed by mid-2019, or within 24 months of hiring of interpreters hired in mid-2017 or later.
The Administrative Office of the Courts says 45 other states already have credentialing programs for court interpreters to help ensure equal justice under the law.
The office's Amy Wood says the program's goal is to ensure that court interpreters have at least a minimum knowledge of legal concepts, ethics, court procedures and interpreting skill.
Arizona already requires American Sign Language interpreters to meet certain standards.
