Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Standing trial before a judge in a courtroom, whether for a criminal or civil offense, is a grueling, stressful experience. Beyond those in the legal profession, few of us understand the procedures required in the grinding, often lengthy process, further adding to feelings of dread and helplessness.
For many, the situation is further compounded by language barriers. Imagine not only struggling to comprehend legal terms, but trying to understand them in a language in which you aren’t proficient.
That’s a challenge facing thousands of Utah residents, including Hispanic Utahns with limited English proficiency.
“Utah’s population has become increasingly linguistically diverse, with Spanish representing the most commonly requested language for court proceedings,” says Elsa Pérez, assistant professor in Utah State University’s Department of World Languages and Cultures in the College of Arts and Sciences and co-director of the translation and interpretation studies degree program. “Utah’s legal system struggles to keep up with the pace. They report more than 10,000 encounters a month involving clients who need interpretation assistance.”
Jessica Vázquez-Leavitt, Language Access Program Manager for Utah State Courts, says, at times, the state has to hire certified interpreters from other states.
“We have a serious shortage of interpreters of varied skill levels, and especially, of certified interpreters,” she says. “This means we experience delays with trials, hearings and court proceedings, causing defendants to remain incarcerated and creating inefficiency in our system.”
Vázquez-Leavitt says the state approached USU and proposed a collaboration with the university to develop a comprehensive, statewide training program to prepare students to become credentialed Spanish/English court interpreters.
“USU’s translation and interpretation program demonstrated success in training students for medical interpretation, the university has a statewide reach, and we were impressed with USU faculty members’ willingness and eagerness to work toward a court interpreting training program,” she says.
Partnering with USU, Utah State Courts secured funding from the state legislature to initiate the Court Interpreting Training Program. The 11-week program, held at the Matheson Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City, began this spring with 52 students selected from more than 400 applicants.
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Since 1888, Utah State University established itself as a premier research institution known through the world for its intellectual and technological leadership. USU’s main campus is in Logan, plus 30 campuses throughout Utah. And as long as WiFi is available, you can be an Aggie anywhere through USU Online.
USU competes in 16 NCAA Division I sports. Our student section, the HURD, is one of the loudest and rowdiest in the nation. The diehards become True Aggies by kissing on the block “A” on Homecoming. Adrenaline junkies sled down Old Main hill between classes or rock climb outside. And everyone eats Aggie Ice Cream — even with a foot of snow on the ground.
#7 Best Bang for the Buck in the West - Washington Monthly
#8 Public University in the Nation - Washington Monthly
#11 Best Online Bachelor's Program - U.S. News & World Report
There’s a place for you at Utah State. Join us.
https://usu.edu/admissions/aggielife/
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IG: instagram.com/USUAggielife
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USU is committed to a learning and working environment free from discrimination. For USU’s non-discrimination notice, see equity.usu.edu/non-discrimination.
Standing trial before a judge in a courtroom, whether for a criminal or civil offense, is a grueling, stressful experience. Beyond those in the legal profession, few of us understand the procedures required in the grinding, often lengthy process, further adding to feelings of dread and helplessness.
For many, the situation is further compounded by language barriers. Imagine not only struggling to comprehend legal terms, but trying to understand them in a language in which you aren’t proficient.
That’s a challenge facing thousands of Utah residents, including Hispanic Utahns with limited English proficiency.
“Utah’s population has become increasingly linguistically diverse, with Spanish representing the most commonly requested language for court proceedings,” says Elsa Pérez, assistant professor in Utah State University’s Department of World Languages and Cultures in the College of Arts and Sciences and co-director of the translation and interpretation studies degree program. “Utah’s legal system struggles to keep up with the pace. They report more than 10,000 encounters a month involving clients who need interpretation assistance.”
Jessica Vázquez-Leavitt, Language Access Program Manager for Utah State Courts, says, at times, the state has to hire certified interpreters from other states.
“We have a serious shortage of interpreters of varied skill levels, and especially, of certified interpreters,” she says. “This means we experience delays with trials, hearings and court proceedings, causing defendants to remain incarcerated and creating inefficiency in our system.”
Vázquez-Leavitt says the state approached USU and proposed a collaboration with the university to develop a comprehensive, statewide training program to prepare students to become credentialed Spanish/English court interpreters.
“USU’s translation and interpretation program demonstrated success in training students for medical interpretation, the university has a statewide reach, and we were impressed with USU faculty members’ willingness and eagerness to work toward a court interpreting training program,” she says.
Partnering with USU, Utah State Courts secured funding from the state legislature to initiate the Court Interpreting Training Program. The 11-week program, held at the Matheson Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City, began this spring with 52 students selected from more than 400 applicants.
–––––––––––
Since 1888, Utah State University established itself as a premier research institution known through the world for its intellectual and technological leadership. USU’s main campus is in Logan, plus 30 campuses throughout Utah. And as long as WiFi is available, you can be an Aggie anywhere through USU Online.
USU competes in 16 NCAA Division I sports. Our student section, the HURD, is one of the loudest and rowdiest in the nation. The diehards become True Aggies by kissing on the block “A” on Homecoming. Adrenaline junkies sled down Old Main hill between classes or rock climb outside. And everyone eats Aggie Ice Cream — even with a foot of snow on the ground.
#7 Best Bang for the Buck in the West - Washington Monthly
#8 Public University in the Nation - Washington Monthly
#11 Best Online Bachelor's Program - U.S. News & World Report
There’s a place for you at Utah State. Join us.
https://usu.edu/admissions/aggielife/
Follow Us
FB: facebook.com/UtahState
IG: instagram.com/USUAggielife
TW: twitter.com/USUAggies
USU is committed to a learning and working environment free from discrimination. For USU’s non-discrimination notice, see equity.usu.edu/non-discrimination.
