This paper gives an overview of court interpreting. Various federal and state statutes in the United States define the role of the court interpreter with clear and unequivocal rules. This definition is based on the underlying principles of the U.S. legal system. Consequently, the distinctive features of that system make the function of the court interpreter different from that of his/her counterparts in other countries. Recently, the judiciary has made an effort to enhance the public’s access to the justice system. Nevertheless, the latest wave of immigration comprises individuals from societies in which cultural norms differ greatly from those of the United States. As a result, judiciary interpreters feel somewhat constrained by the rules that govern their profession when they strive to bridge the cultural and linguistic gap. This paper re-examines the function of the court interpreter in light of these circumstances and an analysis of prevailing practices in other countries.