Translation Project expands access to court forms
Feb. 19, 2010: Vital court information will be more readily
accessible to non-English speaking Ohioans and those with
Limited English Proficiency (LEP) as the result of a translation
project initiated by the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Twenty-seven common forms used in general, domestic relations,
juvenile and probate common pleas court divisions and municipal
courts throughout the state have been translated into five major
languages. The forms range from general information about
domestic violence protection orders to appointing a minor’s
guardian to a defendant’s waiver of a jury trial.
The five most commonly requested foreign languages in Ohio
courts were selected: Arabic, Mandarin, Russian, Somali and
Spanish. “By translating forms into the top five foreign
languages, the courts will be able to provide vital information
directly to the non-English speaking communities,” said Bruno
Romero, Interpreter Services Program manager. “Additionally,
these forms will assist in the performance of court interpreters
by providing the same precise information to everyone.”
The Supreme Court embarked on the translation project to benefit
individuals who have LEP, according to Romero. He explained that
the Court selected professional, qualified translators to
provide clear and accurate translations.
Of the 27 forms identified for translation, the Supreme Court’s
Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence recommended seven
domestic violence and stalking forms because of their
informational or instructional content, according to Diana
Ramos-Reardon, Domestic Violence Program manager. For example,
one of the forms (Form 10.01-A) explains the difference between
civil and criminal domestic violence cases and the corresponding
remedies that a court may provide. This information is
particularly important for
pro se parties (parties not represented by an
attorney), who make judgment calls as to which courts’
assistance to seek.
The translation project makes information about domestic
violence and stalking, including how to obtain a protection
order, accessible to people previously disenfranchised due to a
language barrier. Courts benefit tremendously from having
parties, especially those who are LEP or non-English speaking,
informed of the process and understand the remedies.
“Courts across Ohio have experienced a tremendous demand for
protection orders and a noticeable increase in non-English
speaking or limited-English proficient parties,” said Lorain
County Domestic Relations/Juvenile Court Judge Debra
Boros, who also serves as chair of the domestic violence
advisory committee. “The translation of forms that provide
information about domestic violence and stalking or instructions
on how to obtain a protection order will not only increase
parties’ meaningful access to the justice system, but it will
also improve the efficient operation of courts.”
The project was funded by a grant of the Ohio State Bar
Foundation.
Access the translated forms at
http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/JCS/interpreterSvcs/default.asp. |
