A New Normal

We might start to notice new and strange things as Courts reopen: masks, face shields, a whole lot of hand sanitizer, fewer people, and many other things to which we are now accustomed. Aside from protecting yourselves and your families, being informed is another powerful tool against this pandemic. To such end, the COVID-19 Task Force is working diligently to create guidelines to help courts reopen. Courts themselves are working on individual operating guidelines to reopen. Please review the court operating guidelines (HERE) for your courthouse or wherever you practice so you can be informed of the different protocols that are in place. “All things are ready if our mind be so” William Shakespeare, Henry V.

ALL COURT PROFESSIONALS.

Exciting times in the neighborhood! We have a new website! Please visit the new website for the Office of Court Professionals, which now has a lot more information, is easier to use, and provides more details regarding the licensing process for new court professionals. The website is OCP.GEORGIACOURTS.GOV. A very special thank you to our Webmasters Juliana Tyler and Sterling Perry for their invaluable assistance.

Please don’t forget to check out the June issue of the Georgia Courts Journal. This and other issues are available HERE.

 

BOARD OF COURT REPORTING.

Civil and Criminal Rules Subcommittee
The Criminal and Civil Rules and Regulations Subcommittee of the Standing Committee on Court Reporting Matters, chaired by Justice Carla Wong McMillian, met on June 29 to discuss the scope of work with which this group was charged. This group, comprised of a wide array of members, including GCRA representatives and other court reporters, will assess the current rules and regulations. This group is also charged with reviewing any changes that need to be made to these rules, which will include changes to the fee schedule. We will keep you updated of the work done by this group.

What’s Coming Up?

The Spring Conference for the Georgia Court Reporters Association was rescheduled to March 13-14, 2021, in Athens, GA. For this and more information related to trainings and events, please visit GCRA.

The National Court Reporters Association will host a webinar called “Connect Virtual 2020” (1.6 CE) from August 7 through August 9. For more information, please visit the NCRA website.

Reminders.
Please remember that Part 2, Section C, Subsection 1 of the Continuing Education Manual states that proof of CE must be submitted to GCR within 30 days of completion of said educational activity. Failure to do so will result in rejection of your submission.
Learning Essentials About Professionalism (LEAP) will take place on September 25, 2020, via Zoom. Staff will send more information to those required to attend and the location of the same.
Firm Owners: Please remember that you are responsible to verify that any court reporter you network with or employ for any job in a court of the State of Georgia or a deposition in a case pending in a Georgia court must possess a current, valid CCR certificate and must be in good standing with the Board. A firm that fails to verify the license status of the reporters sent on jobs for that firm is potentially subject to discipline.

We thank you for your service to the State of Georgia; please don’t forget to send us any news or accomplishments of your fellow Court Reporters to our GCR e-mail address.

COMMISSION ON INTERPRETERS.

One of the groups created within the COVID-19 Task Force was the Court Professionals Subcommittee, chaired by Judge Norman Cuadra. This group also includes a spoken languages and Sign Language subcommittee. This group is charged with creating guidelines for interpreters when returning to work. The same group also held meetings to hear from interpreters and other professionals to listen to their suggestions, which will be included as part of the group’s final recommendations to the Task Force. A special thank you to all those who attended, and to Maria Ceballos Wallis, CCI; and Paul Panusky, Esq. SC:L, who worked tirelessly to produce this subcommittee’s recommendations. Please visit the COVID-19 Task Force’s website to keep abreast of any developments. A special thank you to all those who participated on this subcommittee.

Reminders.
Staff has expanded the resources available for court interpreters not only to use to study for the written and oral exams but also for those interpreters looking for resources to expand their knowledge of their profession and their skills.

What’s Coming Up?

Atlanta Association of Interpreters and Translators. 
AAIT is currently offering an extensive list of events and trainings, some of which are free. For more information as to the date of these events, please visit AAIT.

National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators.
Please don’t forget to check out the NAJIT Academy for interesting and education trainings.

Job Board.

InLingo, a Georgia company specialized in video-remote interpreting (VRI) is looking for qualified interpreters who are licensed in any language. Please visit the inLingo website for more information.

Access to Additional Tools
The National Center for State Courts’ Language Access Advisory Committee made available their national database for State Court Interpreters free of charge until July 1, 2020. This database will help you locate certified interpreters with more ease.

Please remember to check Georgia’s database first. Said database is available HERE. If you are unable to locate an interpreter on Georgia’s public directory, you can access the national database HERE.

Please contact John Botero, Program Manager of the Office of Court Professionals of the Judicial Council/AOC and staff to the Commission on Interpreters by e-mail, or by calling 404.656.5171 if you have any questions, or require further assistance.

Tell Your Friends!

The Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and the Georgia Department of Education are hosting an online event called “How to Become a Licensed Court Interpreter” on September 8th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Please click HERE for more information, or to register.

 

We thank you for your service to the State of Georgia; please don’t forget to send us any news or accomplishments of your fellow Court Interpreters to our GCR e-mail address. We’d also love to advertise any trainings, workshops, and seminars; please don’t forget to keep us in the loop.

 

Contact us:
Georgia Courts Registrar.
404.463.3808
GCR@GeorgiaCourts.gov