The Chandler Municipal Court's technological stride has not gone unnoticed. Awarded by the Arizona Supreme Court, the court received a nod during the 2025 Court Leadership Conference in Flagstaff for their Instant Language Assistant program. This advancement is a leap towards better accessibility, ensuring that Chandler's non-English speaking community isn't lost in translation when seeking justice or understanding court processes.
According to the City of Chandler's official news release, the innovative tablet-based system can translate over 250 languages in real-time. The convenience it offers is clear – a non-English speaker walks up to a service window, and voila, a conversation can flow without the usual game of communicative charades. This tool is not just a simple app; it’s an open door, bridging linguistic gaps for the court's over 250 daily customers.
Presiding Judge Alicia Skupin, who was unfortunately not featured in the winning photograph, expressed high praise for the court's forward-thinking approach. "We’re honored to be recognized by the Arizona Supreme Court for our continued efforts to enhance accessibility, improve the customer experience, and make our visitors feel more comfortable,” she said in the City of Chandler's official news release. The ILA system underscores a commitment to innovation and, most importantly, equitable access to justice for all community members.
Processing approximately 45,000 cases each year, it's evident that Chandler Municipal Court is heavily frequented. The Strategic Agenda Award is more than a trophy; it's a testament to the court's dedication to serving its diverse clientele. Technology like ILA isn't merely convenient – it's a crucial component in upholding the pillar of justice impartial to language barriers. As the court staff, including Korenna Tessier-Pothier, Regan Tillar, and Jairo Garcia, proudly stood beside Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer with the award, one can only imagine the collective pride in fulfilling a vision which now sets a precedent for others to follow.
