Section 756 Of Chapter 4. Interpreters And Translators From California Evidence Code >> Division 6. >> Chapter 4.
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. (a) To the extent required by other state or federal laws, the
Judicial Council shall reimburse courts for court interpreter
services provided in civil actions and proceedings to any party who
is present in court and who does not proficiently speak or understand
the English language for the purpose of interpreting the proceedings
in a language the party understands, and assisting communications
between the party, his or her attorney, and the court.
(b) If sufficient funds are not appropriated to provide an
interpreter to every party that meets the standard of eligibility,
court interpreter services in civil cases reimbursed by the Judicial
Council, pursuant to subdivision (a), shall be prioritized by case
type by each court in the following order:
(1) Actions and proceedings under Division 10 (commencing with
Section 6200) of the Family Code, actions or proceedings under the
Uniform Parentage Act (Part 3 (commencing with Section 7600) of
Division 12 of the Family Code) in which a protective order has been
granted or is being sought pursuant to Section 6221 of the Family
Code, and actions and proceedings for dissolution or nullity of
marriage or legal separation of the parties in which a protective
order has been granted or is being sought pursuant to Section 6221 of
the Family Code; actions and proceedings under subdivision (w) of
Section 527.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure; and actions and
proceedings for physical abuse or neglect under the Elder Abuse and
Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (Chapter 11 (commencing with
Section 15600) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and
Institutions Code).
(2) Actions and proceedings relating to unlawful detainer.
(3) Actions and proceedings to terminate parental rights.
(4) Actions and proceedings relating to conservatorship or
guardianship, including the appointment or termination of a probate
guardian or conservator.
(5) Actions and proceedings by a parent to obtain sole legal or
physical custody of a child or rights to visitation.
(6) All other actions and proceedings under Section 527.6 of the
Code of Civil Procedure or the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil
Protection Act (Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 15600) of Part 3
of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code).
(7) All other actions and proceedings related to family law.
(8) All other civil actions or proceedings.
(c) (1) If funds are not available to provide an interpreter to
every party that meets the standard of eligibility, preference shall
be given for parties proceeding in forma pauperis pursuant to Section
68631 of the Government Code in any civil action or proceeding
described in paragraph (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), or (8) of subdivision
(b).
(2) Courts may provide an interpreter to a party outside the
priority order listed in subdivision (b) when a qualified interpreter
is present and available at the court location and no higher
priority action that meets the standard of eligibility described in
subdivision (a) is taking place at that location during the period of
time for which the interpreter has already been compensated.
(d) A party shall not be charged a fee for the provision of a
court interpreter.
(e) In seeking reimbursement for court interpreter services, the
court shall identify to the Judicial Council the case types for which
the interpretation to be reimbursed was provided. Courts shall
regularly certify that in providing the interpreter services, they
have complied with the priorities and preferences set forth in
subdivisions (b) and (c), which shall be subject to review by the
Judicial Council.
(f) This section shall not be construed to alter, limit, or negate
any right to an interpreter in a civil action or proceeding
otherwise provided by state or federal law, or the right to an
interpreter in criminal, traffic, or other infraction, juvenile, or
mental competency actions or proceedings.
(g) This section shall not result in a reduction in staffing or
compromise the quality of interpreting services in criminal,
juvenile, or other types of matters in which interpreters are
provided.