Translation and Interpreting in the Criminal Process

The research project investigates the translation and interpreting into foreign languages during criminal processes, examining legal interpretations involving the use of translation and interpreting, as well as problems arising in these processes and development needs related to current regulations and practices. Special attention is focused on the potential use of translation technology as a support for translation and interpreting in criminal proceedings. A key question for the project is finding solutions for more effective and economical provision of translation and interpreting services in the context of criminal processes.

The knowledge needs for the project focus on identifying measures that can lower costs or, at minimum, limit cost increase. In recent years, translation and interpreting costs for the police and courts have increased considerably to a level that forms a significant expense, which has societal impact on the cost structure of criminal processes. This creates the need to establish actual translation and interpreting costs, determine reasons for cost increases, and examine the possibility of limiting translation and interpreting within national margins. Additionally, the project aims to identify measures and best practices to improve the efficiency of current practices, focusing on the potential of technological solutions to support translation and interpreting in criminal processes.