Nebraska’s commitment to “equal access to justice” is being tested by a swelling demand for court interpreters. From 1990 to 2024, the number of Nebraskans with limited English proficiency or who are deaf or hard of hearing climbed from 22,000 to over 90,000. As a result, courts across the state now require interpretation in more than 70 languages, yet the official registrar lists only 272 qualified interpreters—many of whom do not work regularly in county or state courts.

Frozen Fees, Rising Frustration

Interpreter pay rates have remained unchanged since 2004, with spoken‐language interpreters earning $50 per hour and American Sign Language interpreters $75 per hour. Adjusted for inflation, that represents a real-terms pay cut of nearly 40%. Consequently, seasoned professionals report considering private‐sector or federal positions that offer more competitive compensation. Without timely rate adjustments, Nebraska risks losing critical expertise just when it’s needed most.

Delays and Due‐Process Concerns

The shortage forces judges to postpone hearings, scrambling to secure interpreters at the last minute or turning to out-of-state professionals. When an evidentiary hearing exceeds four hours, the state must fly in two interpreters—driving up costs and extending wait times. Trials that once concluded in days can now drag on for weeks, and overextended interpreters may inadvertently misinterpret legal jargon, potentially undermining defendants’ rights and increasing the risk of appeals.

Legislative Efforts and Technological Solutions

In March 2025, the Nebraska Legislature’s Appropriations Committee considered LB 15, a bill proposing incremental increases to interpreter funding. Senator George Dungan emphasized that indexed, annual rate reviews tied to inflation and judicial salaries are essential for retaining certified interpreters. Meanwhile, pilot programs for remote interpretation promise on-demand language support via secure video links. Yet reliable courtroom audiovisual infrastructure and specialized training remain prerequisites for these platforms to function effectively.

Building a Sustainable Pipeline

Long-term stability depends on expanding Nebraska’s interpreter cadre. The last comprehensive Language Access Plan was published in 2019. The Interpreter Certification Pathway, launched in 2024, recently produced the first new top-tier interpreter in nearly a decade. Still, recruitment in less common languages remains scarce. Stakeholders recommend partnering with community colleges, refugee organizations and bilingual university programs to encourage bilingual speakers to pursue certification—ensuring diverse linguistic needs are met statewide.

AI: A Complement, Not a Cure-All

With advancements in artificial intelligence, some courts have tested automated translation tools. Certified interpreters caution that AI lacks the ability to navigate courtroom nuances, colloquialisms and legal terminology. They stress that technology should augment human interpreters—not replace them—to preserve accuracy and cultural context.

Charting a Course Forward

To uphold its constitutional guarantee, Nebraska must:

• Update Interpreter Rates: Implement indexed rate increases to match inflation and market conditions.

• Invest in Infrastructure: Equip courtrooms with reliable audiovisual systems to support both in-person and remote interpretation.

• Expand Certification: Partner with educational institutions and community groups to recruit and train interpreters in underrepresented languages.

• Monitor Performance: Track key metrics—hearing delays, interpreter no-show rates and participant satisfaction—to guide policy adjustments.

By taking these steps, Nebraska can ensure that language barriers do not stand between its courts and the people they serve—preserving fairness, efficiency, and trust in the legal system.