Local Rule LR Gen 108: INTERPRETERS

LR Gen 108 INTERPRETERS

(a) Use of Interpreter. Whether a language or sign language interpreter is required in any proceeding shall be determined by the Court. No interpreter shall participate in any proceeding unless first approved by the Court.

(b) Requests for Interpreters.

(1) Cases Brought by the United States. In all criminal cases and in civil cases initiated by the United States, requests for interpreters shall be made to this Court's staff interpreter. The Federal Defender and counsel appointed by the Court representing an indigent client shall use the Court's staff interpreter, whenever possible, for all in-court proceedings.

Unless otherwise authorized by the Court, counsel for a party who intends to seek reimbursement for interpreter services provided outside of Court proceedings shall first request such services from the Court's staff interpreter. If the Court's staff interpreter is unavailable to provide such services, counsel may utilize a suitable replacement in accordance with the procedures outlined in the District of Rhode Island's Criminal Justice Act Plan.

(2) Other Cases. In all other cases, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, a party seeking to utilize an interpreter shall be responsible for obtaining and compensating the interpreter; provided, however, any such interpreter who participates in a proceeding before the Court must first be approved in accordance with subsection (a) of this Rule.

(c) Number of Interpreters. Unless the Court otherwise orders for good cause shown, no more than one interpreter shall be provided, at Court expense, to any party.

(d) Auxiliary Aides for the Hearing Impaired. Interpreter services, including services rendered by a properly qualified sign language interpreter, for a person who is hearing-impaired or who otherwise has a communication disability shall be obtained in the same manner as language interpreter services. When a party or witness in a proceeding is hearing-impaired, the Court, where and to the extent appropriate, may provide auxiliary aids, such as real time transcription in lieu of a sign language interpreter.

Effective 12/2/13: §(b)(1) amended.

CROSS-REFERENCES See generally 28 U.S.C §§ 1827-1828 (provision of interpreter services in federal district courts); 28 U.S.C. §1920(6) (taxation of interpreter costs) and § 1918 (taxation of costs of prosecution). See also Fed. R. Civ. P. 43(f) (appointment and cost of interpreters in civil proceedings), Fed. R. Crim. P. 28 (interpreters in criminal proceedings), LR Cv 54 (taxation of costs in civil cases), and Criminal Justice Act Plan for the District of Rhode Island.