604 Interpreters

If someone in court needs help understanding English, or if a witness doesn't speak English well, an interpreter can step in to translate. But that interpreter has to meet certain standards before they can do the job.

First, the interpreter must be qualified, just like an expert witness would need to be. This means they need to show they actually have the skills and knowledge to translate accurately. Someone can't just claim to speak a language and start interpreting in court without any proof of their ability.

Second, the interpreter has to take an oath or make a formal promise before they start translating. This oath is a promise that they will translate truthfully and accurately, without changing or leaving out anything important. This helps make sure that what gets said in court is a fair and correct translation, so the case can move forward based on accurate information.