Access to justice is a fundamental principle of the legal system, and treatment courts are vital in providing specialized support for individuals facing substance use and mental health challenges. However, language barriers can hinder participants with limited English proficiency from fully understanding court proceedings and engaging in their treatment plans. Court interpreters play a crucial role in bridging this gap, ensuring equal access to resources and opportunities offered by treatment courts.
Without proper interpretation services, participants may find it difficult to comprehend court orders, treatment expectations, or available support services. This lack of understanding can affect their ability to comply with program requirements and achieve successful outcomes. The presence of trained interpreters enhances procedural fairness and efficiency in treatment courts by reducing delays, ensuring accurate communication, improving participant compliance and engagement, providing fairer outcomes, and ultimately increasing trust in the justice system.
Maryland Problem-Solving Courts, including the Howard County District Recovery Court, rely on interpreters to ensure that all participants can engage fully in their recovery process. An example is a Spanish-speaking participant who initially struggled with program expectations due to language barriers. After an interpreter was provided, his communication improved significantly—he began attending treatment consistently, met court requirements, and graduated from the program successfully. Administrative Judge Wayne Brooks stated: “We must make court as accessible as possible to everyone regardless of how they communicate.”
Maryland courts are exploring ways to improve language access further by expanding interpreter services, increasing funding for language programs, and enhancing training for both court staff and interpreters. By prioritizing language access, treatment courts aim to serve all individuals better while ensuring a fair and effective justice system for everyone.
For inquiries or more information about this initiative, contact the Maryland Judiciary's Government Relations and Public Affairs Division at [email protected] or 410-260-1488.