Rule Canon 5 Confidentiality

An interpreter must uphold the confidentiality of any communications between attorney and client and must refrain from repeating or disclosing information obtained in the course of the interpreter’s employment. An interpreter must accompany an LEP juror into the jury room and interpret for jury deliberations. When this occurs, the interpreter must be neutral, must not participate in jury deliberations, and must not disclose or comment upon jury deliberations. An interpreter providing services to an LEP party may disclose information obtained while providing interpreter services if the interpreter is reasonably certain that such disclosure is necessary to prevent imminent death or bodily harm. If the LEP party is represented by an attorney, the disclosure must be made to the party’s attorney. If the LEP party is not represented by an attorney, the disclosure must be made to the presiding judicial officer or other appropriate authority if the judicial officer is not available. An interpreter providing services to an LEP person who is not a party may disclose information obtained while providing interpreter services if the interpreter is reasonably certain that such disclosure is necessary to prevent imminent death or bodily harm. The disclosure must be made to the presiding judicial officer or another appropriate authority if the judicial officer is not available. [Court Orders December 22, 2003, and April 26, 2004, effective November 1, 2004; February 14, 2008, effective April 1, 2008; December 4, 2014, effective July 1, 2015]