Language Access Coordinator Contact
Alexandra Wirth, Court Interpreter Program Manager
Director of State Courts Office of Court Operations
110 East Main Street, Suite 410
Madison WI 53703
Phone: 608.266.8635
Email: Alexandra.Wirth@wicourts.gov
Website
Code of Ethics or Rules of Professional Conduct
Interpreter Statutes and Rules
Coordination/Supervision of Interpreters: Certified by state and hired and scheduled at county level
Cost of Interpreter Services, Including Fees to Freelance and Salaries of Staff Interpreters: $2.3 million
Budget for Language Access Program, Not Including Direct Interpreter Services: $72,000 - $87,000
Funding for Language Access Program: Court’s General Operating Budget; Funding for training and testing of interpreters comes from registration fees of participants; Funding for state reimbursement to counties for interpreters services comes from GPR and PR funding.
Compensation Range for Salaried Interpreters (spoken language): $25,000 - $50,000
Compensation Range for Salaried Interpreters (sign language): Not applicable
Compensation Range for Freelance Interpreters (certified spoken language): $40 - $60 per hour plus mileage and/or travel time.
Compensation Range for Freelance Interpreters (certified sign language): $55 - $80 per hour plus mileage and/or travel time.
Difference in Pay between Spanish and LOTS Interpreters: Certified Spanish interpreters get at least $40/hour while LOTS interpreters receive a range of pay depending upon the language and certification.
Minimum Certification Requirements: Complete 2-day orientation, pass NCSC 135-Q MC exam at 80%; pass NCSC oral performance exam at 70% (for Sight Translation, WI requires at least 65% on each individual part); criminal background check; minimum 2 hours of court observation; Oath of Office form; current contact information; continuing education credits to maintain.
2021 Dates and Locations of Testing and Training
Location | Orientation Dates |
Online | Saturday & Sunday, April 10-11 & April 17-18 (four half days over two weekends) |
Online | Saturday & Sunday, Sep 18-19 & Sep 25-26 (four half days over two weekends) |
Location | Written Exam Dates |
Madison | Friday, May 21 |
TBA | Friday, October 15 |
Location | Oral Exam Dates |
Madison | Friday, July 16 |
Friday, December 17 |
Additional Information
Resources: http://www.wicourts.gov/services/interpreter/resources.htm
A Handbook for Court Interpreters Working in Teams (Nov 2015): https://www.wicourts.gov/services/interpreter/docs/inthandbook.pdf