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Oklahoma Supreme Court Revokes Registered Courtroom Interpreter After Felony Embezzlement Plea
Summary
The Oklahoma Supreme Court adopted the State Board of Examiners of Certified Courtroom Interpreters— recommendation and revoked the registration of Jasmine C. Alvarado after she pleaded no contest to felony embezzlement of $8,100; the opinion was issued Oct. 7, 2025 and permits reinstatement no sooner than five years from the decision.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Oct. 7, 2025 adopted a disciplinary board—s recommendation and revoked the registration of Jasmine C. Alvarado, a registered courtroom interpreter, after she pleaded no contest to felony embezzlement of $8,100.
The court—s written opinion, issued in the matter Oklahoma ex rel. State Board of Examiners of Certified Courtroom Interpreters v. Jasmine C. Alvarado, follows a formal complaint by the State Board of Examiners of Certified Courtroom Interpreters and a disciplinary hearing at which the board concluded there was sufficient evidence to recommend revocation. Austin J. Bauer, assistant attorney general with the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General, is listed as counsel for the complainant in the record.
The opinion explains that the board has authority under state statute and the board—s disciplinary rules to conduct hearings and recommend sanctions, and that this court reviews those recommendations de novo. The court held that Alvarado—s plea of nolo contendere pursuant to a May 2024 deferred-sentence plea agreement constituted a final conviction for purposes of the disciplinary rules and that felony embezzlement is a criminal offense indicating a clear and rational likelihood that an interpreter will not properly discharge the responsibilities of a certified courtroom interpreter.
"The court, parties and counsel all depend on the integrity of courtroom interpreters to administer justice," the opinion states, explaining the rationale for discipline. The opinion cites prior Oklahoma decisions recognizing embezzlement as involving moral turpitude and concludes the board met its burden of persuasion under the applicable disciplinary rule.
Accordingly, the court adopted the board—s unanimous recommendation and ordered that "Respondent Jasmine C. Alvarado's enrollment as a registered courtroom interpreter is hereby revoked." The opinion further states that Alvarado may seek reinstatement in accordance with the board—s rules no sooner than five years from the date of the decision.
The record notes Alvarado had been registered since May 23, 2022 and that the Logan County District Court ordered the judgment and sentence deferred until about May 21, 2027 under the criminal-court disposition cited in the opinion. The written decision carried the notation that it had not been released for publication at the time of issuance and remained subject to revision or withdrawal.
No vote tally is recorded in the court opinion; the action reflects the court—s adoption of the board—s disciplinary recommendation following de novo review.
