Language Access Toolkit - Self-Help Centers
The Self-Help Center is often the first point of contact for a non-English speaking litigant. Here you can find resources to help you communicate with non-English speakers about court processes, including translated forms, instruction sheets and informational videos.
Interpretation
Need an interpreter?
Source: Transcend.net
Description: "If you don't speak English well, the Court may be able to give you an interpreter. Ask the clerk in Room #________."
Need an interpreter? Poster
Source: California Courts website
Description: Poster developed for the Judicial Council of California, with a space for local courts to insert their names.
Need an interpreter? Flyer
Source: California Courts website
Description: Flyer developed for the Judicial Council of California, with a space for local courts to insert their names.
Multi-lingual Continuance Notice for Litigant (Sacramento)
Source: California Courts website
Click on English for all the languages (23 languages). "An Interpreter is not available at this time. Your case is continued and you are ordered to appear on _______."
Tips for Working with Telephone Interpreters
Source: LEP.gov
Description: A cheat sheet for making the most of your telephone interpretation system.
"I Speak" Cards
Protocol and Action Guide for Serving LEP Court Users
Protocol for Serving Limited English Proficient Court Users
Whether you are a court employee who is working with the public in jury services, the self-help center or the clerk’s office, you have probably encountered members of the public who need help and do not speak English. These encounters can be frustrating due to language barriers, and you may be left wondering whether you were able to help at all. This protocol provides recommended steps for court employees to follow that will help them meet the needs of limited English proficient (LEP) court users.
Action Guide for Serving Limited English Proficient Court Users
The Action Guide is a shortened version of the protocol and is designed to be a quick reference guide to assist court employees. It can be placed at various workstations throughout the courthouse (e.g., security, clerk counters, family law facilitator office or self-help centers). The Action Guide can be adapted by each court to provide court-specific information on the court’s available bilingual employees, telephonic interpreting services and translated resources.
Protocols for the Use of Bilingual Volunteers
The document provides guidelines for courts that currently offer or are interested in developing volunteer opportunities for bilingual members of the community. These guidelines are organized into four categories of volunteer development and supervision: Recruitment, Qualification, Training and the Supervision and Management of bilingual volunteers.
Spanish Resources
Self-Help Spanish-English Glossary
Source: Judicial Council of California
Description: Glossary of legal terms in Spanish and English.
Centro de ayuda en linea
Source: California Courts website
Description: Judicial Council Online Self-Help Center
Separation & Divorce
Families Change
Source: Familieschange.ca.gov
Description: This is an online guide for families going through separation and divorce. With three versions – one for parents, one for children, and another for teens and pre-teens – it complements the legal information found here.
Videos
Welcome from the Court Staff video
Source: cc-courts.org
Description: Available in a variety of languages.
Mixteco Community, Welcome to the Courts Video (Ventura County Superior Court)
Description: This video introduces members of the Mixteco community to the organization of a California state courthouse, the people involved, and how a case progresses through the system. The narration is in Mixteco Bajo.
Domestic Violence
Audio version of DV INFO forms
Source: California Courts website
Description: DV INFO forms: 115, 120, 200, 500, 505, 520, 530, 700, 800. The domestic violence information sheets are read aloud and made available in an audio file.
Traffic
Automated Assistant for Online Traffic Services in Los Angeles
Source: Los Angeles Superior Court website:
Description: "Traffic Avatar" provides audio guidance and information for online traffic services. Currently available in English and Spanish. Website indicates that it will soon add Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Armenian.
Juvenile Dependency
Juvenile Dependency Court Orientation
Source: California Courts website
Description: This video about the court process is for parents whose children were taken from their care.
Small Claims
Resolving Small Claims Cases
Source: California Courts website
Description: Resolving Your Small Claims Case in the California Courts provides information about the options for resolving disputes involving $10,000 or less. If someone owes you – or claims you owe them – $10,000 or less, watching this video may help.
Eviction
Resolving Unlawful Detainer (Eviction) Cases
Source: California Courts website:
Description: Resolving Your Unlawful Detainer (Eviction) Case in the California Courts provides information about the options for resolving disputes between landlords and tenants about the right to occupy real property. If you are a landlord or a tenant with such a dispute, watching this video may help.
Harassment
Resolving Civil Harassment Cases
Source: California Courts website
Description: Resolving Your Civil Harassment Case in the California Courts provides information about the options for resolving civil harassment disputes. If you feel harassed by someone, or if someone says you are harassing them, watching this video may help.
Collections
Resolving Debt Collection Cases
Source: California Courts website
Description: Resolving Your Debt Collection Case in the California Courts provides information about the options for resolving many types of debts, before or after a court action is filed. If someone is trying to collect a debt that you dispute or are unable to pay, watching this video may help.
Immigration Resource Directory
Find Immigration Resources
Source: California Courts website
Description: The Immigration Resource Directory contains general resources on immigration and information on where to find an immigration lawyer.
Translated Forms
Language Access in Court-Ordered Services
Language Access in Court-Ordered Services: Information for Limited English Proficient Court Litigants (Other languages here: Arabic, Farsi, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.)
Under California Rules of Court, rule 1.300, limited English proficient court litigants may notify the court when they have been ordered to participate in a program or service that they cannot access because of a language barrier. This Fact Sheet explains the process for notifying the court and contains additional links and resources for LEP litigants.