Legally Qualified Sign Language Interpreters

Last Updated; August 7, 2024

Legally Qualified Sign Language Interpreters

American Sign Language (ASL) and Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) Requirements to Become a Legal Interpreter in Maine through the Maine State Courts.

Interpretation and translation services for limited English proficient (LEP) individuals whose primary language is American Sign Language are governed in Maine by 5 M.R.S. 48-A.

Maine Judicial Branch Administrative Order JB-06-03 states court interpretation services may be provided by an American Sign Language interpreter, including a Certified Deaf Interpreter, who is:

  • licensed in the State of Maine-interpreters licensed in other states may interpret in Maine courts up to sixty (60) hours, after which point they must apply to be licensed in Maine

  • holds a national interpreter certification recognized by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf; and either:

--A. holds a bachelor's degree in any field or an associates degree in interpreting and demonstrates at least 50 hours of legal interpreting or mentoring experience and 30 hours of formal legal training,

--B. holds an associates degree in any field and demonstrates at least 75 hours of legal interpreting or mentoring experience and 50 hours of formal legal training, or

--C. demonstrates at least 100 hours of legal interpreting or mentoring experience and 70 hours of legal training. Candidates interested in becoming court qualified sign language interpreters must submit a completed portfolio to interpreters@courts.maine.gov, with the following:

-statement of purpose to qualify as a Legally Qualified Interpreter in Maine;

-a copy of bachelors or associates degree, or official transcript;

-documentation of the required formal legal training hours; and

-documentation of the required legal interpreting or mentoring experience hours, which may include letters from qualified mentors.

Please email interpreters@courts.maine.gov with questions about qualifying or to submit your completed portfolio.

The Maine State Courts support the work and training of legally qualified interpreters in its Mission:

"To administer justice by providing a safe, accessible, efficient and impartial system of dispute resolution that serves the public interest, protects individual rights, and instills respect for the law."

Legally Qualified Sign Language Interpreters in Maine as of July 2024

Susan Brule
CI, CT, SC:L
Massachusetts
(207) 608-1883 (cell)
sbrule@metrocast.net


Tina Kelly
CI, CT, NAD-V, SC:L
South Carolina
(207) 838-8462 (cell)
terptina@aol.com


Lesley Richardson (former-Garey) SC:L, NAD-V, NIC
(603) 759-9534 (cell)
New Hampshire
4lesleyrichardson@gmail.com

Margaret Haberman, SC:L, CI, CT
(207) 212-9337
maghaberman60@gmail.com




Jane Hecker-Cain, CI/CT,
CSC, SC:L, NIC Advanced, IC/TC
(207) 229-4115 (cell)
(207) 967-8601
janeheckercain@gmail.com




Tristen Hellewell, EIPA, NIC *
(207) 386-5971
ehellewell@pinetreesociety.org




Shelly Parks, CI, CT, SC:L
(207) 615-2472 (cell)
flanders.shelly@icloud.com





Maurita Marr, CI, CT, SC:L
(207) 833-5783
(207) 751-5490 (cell)
mmarr@pinetreesociety.org


Amanda Eisenhart, NIC *
(207) 712-2387
amanda_eisenhart@icloud





Douglas Newton, SC:L, CSC
(207) 712-4923
dlnewton.1975@gmail.com




Maura Nolin, CI/CT, ED:K12 (EIPA 5.0); SC:L
(207) 409-6935
mauracn@mac.com
Judy Shepard-Kegl
CSC, OTC, NAD-IV, SC:L, CI/CT, NIC-Master, ED:K-12-EIPA, Master Mentor
(207) 400-0493
judykegl@gmail.com


Meryl Troop, CT, CI, SC:L
(207) 332-4867 (cell)
meryltroop@gmail.com


Sandra Unger, NIC *
New Hampshire
603-988-8954
unger.sandy@gmail.com
  • As of January 1, 2016 the Specialist Certificate:Legal (SC:L) is no longer offered. Interpreters identified with an * possess qualifications, certifications or credentials to interpret in court proceedings as established by the Supreme Judicial Court, and are therefore considered qualified to work in legal settings.

Deaf Legally Qualified Sign Language Interpreters

Stephanie M. Clark, CDI, SC:L, CLIP-R
Massachusetts
sclarkenterprises@gmail.com
Alicia Mcclurkan, CDI *
(512) 212-1016 (Text only)
cdibookme@gmail.com
Regan Thibodeau, CDI, CLIP-R *
(207) 409-2149 (Text only)
jobs4regan@gmail.com

Other Legally Qualified Sign Language Interpreters

John W. Krpan, SC:L, CDI
Maryland
(240) 241-7191
(443) 367-1695 (Text only)
jkrpan@aol.com

Interpreter Referral Agencies

The State of Maine holds a contract with some American Sign Language interpreting agencies for State departments/agencies to use. Please review overall ratings and costs at the link provided.

Website: State of Maine Division of Purchases

Kewl ASL Interpreting
Danielle Perfetto
2411 Atlantic Highway
Warren, ME 04864
240-1390 (V)
Email: kewlasl@gmail.com


Mary Jane Grant Sign Language Interpreting Services, LLC
P.O. Box 843
Sanford, ME 04073
651-3146 (V)
866-825-9910 (FAX)
Email: requests@maryjanegrant.com
Website: Mary Jane Grant Sign Language Interpreting Services


Pine Tree Society - Interpreting Services
71 Nonesuch River Plaza, Suite B
Scarborough, ME 04074
885-0536 (V/TTY)
207-510-4647 (VP)
885-0076 (FAX)
Email: interpreting@pinetreesociety.org
Website: Pine Tree Society - Interpreting Services


Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Professional Conduct (CPC)
RID Code of Professional Conduct