In Johnson County, Iowa, the court system is relying on only one interpreter who is in place to translate for the growing number of Spanish speakers in the county. In the past, the state has funded programs offering Spanish classes to court employees, however, the program has ceased to exist.

Those who only speak Spanish and are seeking court services have become increasingly frustrated. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 3.3 percent of Johnson County's population was Latino in 2007, compared to 3.2 percent in 2006, and 3 percent in 2005.

Lodema Berkley, the Johnson County clerk of court, estimated that the number of individuals who only speak Spanish and enter the courthouse daily has jumped to approximately 90 percent in the past 10 years.

The state recently added two new certified interpreters to its list, but this small addition is not enough to meet the ever-growing need of interpreters in the county.

29 September 2008