Judges and Judiciary
Oct. 19, 2026
California courts confront interpreter crisis as AI fears grow
With a third of certified court interpreters at retirement age and exam pass rates plunging, the Judicial Council approved recruitment and certification changes despite objections over pay, standards and the use of AI.
The California Judicial Council approved measures Friday to address a growing shortage of courtroom interpreters, despite objections from interpreters who warned that inadequate pay and increasing reliance on artificial intelligence threaten both their profession and access to justice.
Dozens of interpreters and their supporters urged the council to address compensation and working conditions rather than pursue what they described as temporary fixes.
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