Susan Taylor works as a court-appointed translator in Florida. "I really like what I do, to be able to interpret for people who need your help. They are in a different country with different rules," Taylor stated.
As the number of non-English speaking defendants continues to increase, the demand for court interpreters and translators has risen dramatically. For instance, in the 1st Judicial Circuit, cases requiring translators rose from 1,399 during the 2004-2005 fiscal year to 3,006 in 2007-2008. This resulted in a cost of $68,260 in the last fiscal year.
The court system in which Taylor works has 30 translators that speak various languages including, Portuguese, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Polish, and American Sign Language.
Courts must now use certified or duly qualified interpreters when available. If neither of these can be found, a judge can appoint an interpreter/translator. Nevertheless, if certified, interpreters are paid $50 for the first hour worked and $40 for each subsequent hour. Those interpreters who are considered "duly qualified" receive $10 less per hour.
Debi Rimmer, a local translator administrator asserts, "We have a great team here, and I have to say they approach their profession very seriously."
18 August 2008
