The article“Shortage of interpreters slows Ipswich murder trial’’ (Jan. 23) sheds light on a serious problem in the Commonwealth’s courts.

The Trial Court administration sees interpreters as a disposable expense, and one to be reduced with little concern for the constitutionally mandated service to LEP, or limited English proficient, people seeking justice in the courts or for the qualified professionals who provide the service. A vast majority of court interpreters are treated as per diem contractors with no protection or benefits, despite their recurrent need and critical role in the legal process.

Since January 2014, the state has reduced the number of per-diem interpreters it supplies to district and superior courts, avoided assigning available interpreters to cases, and redefined the standards by which it reimburses interpreters.

Unfortunately, it is only the lack of interpreters for a heinous murder trial that makes headlines. Every day people are fighting to keep their houses, keep their families together, or keep a safe distance from abusive partners. They need court interpreters to have access to justice.

When a qualified interpreter is not available for a case, justice is delayed. Justice delayed is justice denied.

Mariela Ames

Chestnut Hill

The writer is a Spanish interpreter.