Professional networking for sign language interpreters
California Court Below Market Pay
After reading a blog entry about California court interpreting I started to think about my own recent experience.
Sadly the California courts do not pay certified interpreters near what is considered the market rate.
Judiciary Council says that RID certified interpreters should be paid
$282.23 per full-day or $156.56 per half-day
35.28 per hour for full day
39.00 per hour for half day
However, the market rate for RID certified interpreter to do general community work in California is at least $45 or $50 per hour. For legal work there is typically a premium added to that amount so the judiciary council is suggesting a pay rate that is substantially below the market.
Additionally, a cancellation policy which is potentially very detrimental to the total income and viability of an interpreter is imposed.
"Cancellation fee
A cancellation fee is paid under the following conditions:
a. A contract is entered into with the interpreter more than 24 hours or one business
day in advance of the assignment, and
b. An assignment is cancelled without 24-hour notice, or for assignments beginning on
the first business day of the work week, without one business day’s notice."
I know that our services are in great demand but if a court has booked an interpreter for a week then cancels that person with only 25 hours notice the interpreter is potentially losing an entire week of income. Could anyone else survive on sub-par pay AND a lost week of income?
Sadly the California courts do not pay certified interpreters near what is considered the market rate.
Judiciary Council says that RID certified interpreters should be paid
$282.23 per full-day or $156.56 per half-day
35.28 per hour for full day
39.00 per hour for half day
However, the market rate for RID certified interpreter to do general community work in California is at least $45 or $50 per hour. For legal work there is typically a premium added to that amount so the judiciary council is suggesting a pay rate that is substantially below the market.
Additionally, a cancellation policy which is potentially very detrimental to the total income and viability of an interpreter is imposed.
"Cancellation fee
A cancellation fee is paid under the following conditions:
a. A contract is entered into with the interpreter more than 24 hours or one business
day in advance of the assignment, and
b. An assignment is cancelled without 24-hour notice, or for assignments beginning on
the first business day of the work week, without one business day’s notice."
I know that our services are in great demand but if a court has booked an interpreter for a week then cancels that person with only 25 hours notice the interpreter is potentially losing an entire week of income. Could anyone else survive on sub-par pay AND a lost week of income?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Emily on -
HOWEVER, if the assignment is a short hearing lasting 30 minutes (which many are), that interpreter is getting paid $156.56 per half hour.
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Permalink Reply by Daryl G Crouse on
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I understand your point. Maybe you can help educate me.
Is the interpreter expected to be available for other cases if they come up during that half day after the hearing?
Thanks for joining the conversation!
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Permalink Reply by Emily on
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That depends, obviously. If they ARE expected to be, then yes, the court rate could be very low. However, how often does a docket full of deaf folks show up in court (as it may very easily for other languages like Spanish)?
Just something to think about. :)
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Correct, it may not happen. Without any data to determine one way or another can it be assume either way?
Is there any source of information that would help in determining that? I am open to any ideas on how to track that down.
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