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Stanislaus County program will benefit deaf defendants - Local - Modbee.com
The Stanislaus County Superior Court has joined five other county courts in a pilot program using video-conferencing technology to make American Sign Language interpreters more accessible to deaf or hearing-impaired defendants.
Officials say the technology eventually will help the courts save more than $1 million statewide.
The technology is called Video Remote Interpreting. It allows the defendant to talk face-to-face to a sign language interpreter using a large screen computer. The computer hardware is mobile, so it can be used in any family law, juvenile, traffic or criminal courtroom.
Sign language interpreters are the second highest in demand in California courts, exceeded only by Spanish interpreters. Yet there are only 35 certified sign language interpreters regularly working in the courts statewide.
This short supply of sign language interpreters creates high costs from court delays and travel expenses paid to interpreters brought in from outside the area. The video-conferencing allows the court to hire an available interpreter in another area without any delays.
"All we pay is for the interpreters' fees," said Debbie Perry, the county's courtroom services manager. "That's where the savings comes in.
"The state Administrative Office of the Courts has estimated that $1.59 million will be saved statewide by reducing court delays, mileage expenses and travel costs.
No full-time interpreters
Perry said there are only three local sign language interpreters who work from time to time at the Stanislaus court, including one who has another full-time job. There are no sign language interpreters who work full time at the court.
She said interpreters have been brought in from as far away as Sacramento and the Bay Area. When it comes to trials, two sign language interpreters are needed so they can take breaks throughout long days of courtroom testimony and arguments.
Now, the court can promptly schedule an interpreter through the Administrative Office of the Courts using an online calendar. The technology can be turned on and dialed to an interpreter within minutes.
The lightweight equipment is on a rolling desk, so it can be moved easily from courtroom to courtroom. The technology connects a sign language interpreter from one of the six participating counties to a courtroom, using a live video and audio feed through the computer monitor and web-cam. All communication is encrypted to protect privacy and confidentiality.
The Stanislaus Court implemented the pilot program in November, joining Superior Courts in Riverside, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sonoma and Ventura counties. Stanislaus has used the video-conferencing in six cases.
Feedback during the pilot program will allow officials to fine-tune the guidelines to use the technology at other courts throughout California.
Once the pilot program ends, the Stanislaus court hopes to expand the use of video-conferencing to connect with interpreters of various foreign languages when one is not available to appear in court.
"This is welcomed new technology that is mobile and definitely something the court has needed and wanted for a long time," said Michael Tozzi, Stanislaus court executive officer. "Hopefully, this is only the beginning."
The Stanislaus County Superior Court has joined five other county courts in a pilot program using video-conferencing technology to make American Sign Language interpreters more accessible to deaf or hearing-impaired defendants.
Officials say the technology eventually will help the courts save more than $1 million statewide.
The technology is called Video Remote Interpreting. It allows the defendant to talk face-to-face to a sign language interpreter using a large screen computer. The computer hardware is mobile, so it can be used in any family law, juvenile, traffic or criminal courtroom.
Sign language interpreters are the second highest in demand in California courts, exceeded only by Spanish interpreters. Yet there are only 35 certified sign language interpreters regularly working in the courts statewide.
This short supply of sign language interpreters creates high costs from court delays and travel expenses paid to interpreters brought in from outside the area. The video-conferencing allows the court to hire an available interpreter in another area without any delays.
"All we pay is for the interpreters' fees," said Debbie Perry, the county's courtroom services manager. "That's where the savings comes in.
"The state Administrative Office of the Courts has estimated that $1.59 million will be saved statewide by reducing court delays, mileage expenses and travel costs.
No full-time interpreters
Perry said there are only three local sign language interpreters who work from time to time at the Stanislaus court, including one who has another full-time job. There are no sign language interpreters who work full time at the court.
She said interpreters have been brought in from as far away as Sacramento and the Bay Area. When it comes to trials, two sign language interpreters are needed so they can take breaks throughout long days of courtroom testimony and arguments.
Now, the court can promptly schedule an interpreter through the Administrative Office of the Courts using an online calendar. The technology can be turned on and dialed to an interpreter within minutes.
The lightweight equipment is on a rolling desk, so it can be moved easily from courtroom to courtroom. The technology connects a sign language interpreter from one of the six participating counties to a courtroom, using a live video and audio feed through the computer monitor and web-cam. All communication is encrypted to protect privacy and confidentiality.
The Stanislaus Court implemented the pilot program in November, joining Superior Courts in Riverside, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sonoma and Ventura counties. Stanislaus has used the video-conferencing in six cases.
Feedback during the pilot program will allow officials to fine-tune the guidelines to use the technology at other courts throughout California.
Once the pilot program ends, the Stanislaus court hopes to expand the use of video-conferencing to connect with interpreters of various foreign languages when one is not available to appear in court.
"This is welcomed new technology that is mobile and definitely something the court has needed and wanted for a long time," said Michael Tozzi, Stanislaus court executive officer. "Hopefully, this is only the beginning."