Statewide Language Access Coordinator Jennifer Verhein and State Court Interpreter Coordinator Irma Watt celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month on September 21 at Northeast Community College in Norfolk.  Representing the Supreme Court’s Language Access Program, Verhein and Watt introduced more than 50 Hispanic youth to the profession of court interpreting in a panel presentation at the Latino Youth Summit.

Watt provided a description of the day-to-day work of court interpreters, and she demonstrated consecutive and simultaneous interpretation for the high school students in attendance.  Court interpreters are highly skilled professionals who fulfill an essential role in access to justice.  As officers of the court, interpreters provide language access in both civil and criminal cases to not only defendants, but also to victims, witnesses, parents of juveniles, and those interacting with probation services. 

Verhein described the steps to become a certified court interpreter in Nebraska:

• Interpreter Orientation – 2-day workshop
• Written Exam – test of English language
• Oral Exam – test of interpretation

The next Interpreter Orientation is October 13-14, 2018, in Omaha. For more information,   email NSC.Interpreters@nebraska.gov.   Verhein also distributed materials regarding the Court Interpreter Program and Nebraska Probation.