Judges warn interpreter costs may force midyear budget changes
Judicial presenters told the Noble County Council the county is facing rising interpreter and translation costs — sometimes totaling several thousand dollars — and said they may need to return to the council for extra funds if state-provided language services are reduced.
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Judges and judicial staff told the Noble County Council during the 2026 budget hearing that translation and interpreter costs are rising and could require midyear budget adjustments. A judge who spoke about court operations said the courts rely on a mix of free Supreme Court language-line services and paid, Supreme Court–certified interpreters for plea and trial proceedings; the judge estimated a typical interpreter arrangement could cost roughly $4,000.
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