Iowa Code of Professional Conduct for Court Interpreters and Translators – 2026
The ethical standards for anyone interpreting or translating in an Iowa legal proceeding, in ten canons with the Preamble, Applicability, Definitions and Comments that frame them. The Code governs oral and sign language interpreters and translators in legal proceedings or in offices of the Judicial Branch, and reaches real-time court reporters providing language access to deaf or hearing-impaired persons who can read English. Canon 1 is the central obligation: an interpreter must render a complete and accurate interpretation by reproducing the closest natural equivalent of the source language, without altering, omitting or adding anything, and without explanation. The rest cover representation of qualifications, impartiality and conflicts of interest, professional integrity and demeanor, confidentiality, restriction of public comment, the scope of practice and the line between interpreting and giving legal advice, the duty to assess and report impediments to performance, the duty to report criminal convictions and ethical violations, and professional development. Each canon carries the court's official commentary.
Browse all 14 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.