My client does not speak English. How do I arrange for an interpreter at conferences (either at my office, on the phone or at the county jail) with my client and who pays for it?

The Judiciary’s language access policy is set forth in Directive #01-17, which can be found on the Judiciary’s website at the following link: https://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/attorneys/assets/directives/dir_01_17.pdf. The plan sets forth the following: Standard 1.4.3: R. 1:13-2(b) provides in pertinent part that “no attorney [assigned to represent a person by reason of poverty] shall be required to expend any personal funds in the prosecution of the cause.” Accordingly, pro bono attorney requiring interpreter services must use the Registry to select and hire an approved interpreter. The pro bono attorney or interpreting service shall submit a standard payment voucher to the vicinage Trial Court Administrator for payment of the fees for the interpreting services. Staff interpreters are not permitted to provide interpreting services during case preparation, and as such may not be assigned to assist the pro bono attorney prior to any court related event. Except for the use of interpreters, at the court’s discretion, to interpret brief attorney-client communications immediately before, during or after court proceedings, as forth in 1.2.1 above, interpreters who provide interpreting services during case preparation, should not, wherever practicable, interpret in court-related proceedings involving the case.