In an electrifying breakthrough for non-English speakers, the Justice Department (DOJ) has hammered out a landmark agreement with the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s administrative staff. The deal aims to broaden the horizons for those grappling with limited English proficiency, echoing the grandiosity of the Tower of Babel in its ambition to unite speakers of different tongues.
Courts To Expand Non-English Access : Addressing Language Access Shortfalls
At the heart of this groundbreaking announcement is a 2021 complaint that accused the state’s courts of failing to uphold the Civil Rights Act of 1964, casting a shadow over its treatment of those with limited English abilities. According to recent revelations by the DOJ, the district court in the pastoral setting of Mayes County found itself in hot water for allegedly sidelining an individual in dire need of interpretation during a family court case.
Yet, in a twist reminiscent of a phoenix rising from the ashes, the Oklahoma AOC swiftly proposed legislation after investigations commenced in June 2021. This revolutionary legislation, which has now been sculpted into state law, inaugurates a fund dedicated to shouldering the costs of language services for those previously burdened by interpretation fees in the courts.
Oklahoma’s Stepping Stones to Progress
As the world held its breath, the investigation momentarily halted in September 2021. Oklahoma’s court staff was ardently laying down bricks on the path toward reconciliation. This journey wasn’t only marked by legislation but was also accompanied by strategic steps like appointing a sentinel to weave a web of language access across the state, offering judicial training, and enhancing virtual interpretation amenities.
