Tougher requirements could soon arrive interpreters inside Oklahoma's courtrooms.
The Tulsa World reported Friday that several current interpreters are seeking stronger guidelines from the state Supreme Court.
Sebastian Lantos of the Oklahoma Board of Courtroom Interpreters has wanted a change for more than a decade. He says unqualified people can derail the judicial process, even if they don't mean to.
A set of recommended rules has been passed on to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Its general counsel, Debra Charles, says the panel will likely take up the matter next month.
Lantos says interpreters and translators are needed in the judicial system. Interpreters deal with the spoken word, while translators concentrate on the written word.
The law lets judges use uncertified people if obtaining a certified translator isn't possible.
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