N.M. 3rd Jud. Dist. Court Interpreter Standards of Practice and Payment Policies (introduction)

COURT INTERPRETER

STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

and

PAYMENT POLICIES

New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts

Language Access Services

237 Don Gaspar, Room 25

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504

505-827-4822

New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts

Court Interpreter Standards of Practice & Payment Policies

(October, 2012)

Purpose 1

General Standards

Definitions

Certified Court Interpreters- Spoken Languages 1

Certified Court Interpreters- Signed Languages 2

Non-Certified Interpreters

Justice System Interpreters 3

Other Interpreters 4

Team Interpreting 4

Real Time Court Reporting 5

Assessment of Interpreter Need 5

Translations & Transcriptions 5

Using Certified Interpreters 6

Using Non-Certified Interpreters 7

Use of Team Interpreting and Provision of Breaks 8

Financial Responsibility for Interpreter Services 8

Payment Policies and Procedures

Payment Schedule 10

Travel and Parking Reimbursement 11

Per Diem for Assignments Requiring Overnight Accommodations 11

Guaranteed Fees 11

Guaranteed Payment Due to Cancellation 12

Providing Notice of Inability to Appear 12

Completing and Submitting Invoices for Payment

Completing the Invoice 13

Ensuring Proper Submission 13

Avoiding Problems 14

Contracting 15

Attachment A: Step by Step Instructions for Scheduling Interpreters

Attachment B: Instructions for Identifying, Scheduling and Paying Out-of-State

Interpreters

Attachment C: Continuing Education Policy and Form

Attachment D: Qualifying the Interpreter

Attachment E: Requesting Reimbursement for Overnight Expenses

Attachment F: Interpreter Invoice

PURPOSE

These Standards of Practice provide guidelines for the scheduling and use of

interpreter and other language access services in the courts and outline the

payment policies to be followed when reimbursing providers for these services.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) and the magistrate, metropolitan,

and district courts shall follow these guidelines when retaining and using court

interpreters and other language access services. These Standards and Payment

Policies supersede all policies and procedures previously in effect. Please note,

however, that any conflict between the Standards of Practice and Payment

Policies and the rules of procedure governing the use of court interpreters in New

Mexico State Courts, as established by the New Mexico Supreme Court, are

resolved in favor of the rules.

These guidelines do not limit access to the courts nor the accommodation

options courts may use, particularly when complying with the requirements of the

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Courts should provide the most appropriate

accommodation for each person. The Statewide Program Manager for

Language Access Services is available to assist courts.

I. GENERAL STANDARDS

A. DEFINITIONS