Bilingual Courts Act

(LATEST SUMMARY)

Bilingual Courts Act - Requires, in criminal cases, an oral simultaneous translation of the proceedings be furnished to a non-English-speaking defendant. Requires oral simultaneous translation of the testimony of any non-English-speaking witness.

Requires, in civil cases, the translation of the proceedings to be furnished to a non-English-speaking party. Allows the court to determine whether the translation shall be simultaneous, consecutive, or summary. Requires translation of the testimony of any non-English-speaking witness.

Sets forth the duties of the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts with respect to certification of interpreters, providing appropriate equipment and facilities for translation, prescribing a schedule of reasonable fees to be paid to interpreters, and the payment of the cost of translation.

Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.