Art. 604 Interpreters

If someone in court needs an interpreter, that interpreter has to follow the same basic rules as any other witness. Before they can help translate, they must be qualified under the Louisiana Supreme Court's standards for court interpreters. This means they need the right skills and training to do the job correctly.

The interpreter also has to take an oath or make a formal promise before they start. This oath means they swear to translate everything accurately and truthfully. The goal is to make sure the person who needs the interpreter gets a fair and correct translation of what's being said in court, and that nothing gets changed or left out by mistake.

This rule exists to protect people who don't speak English well or who are deaf or hard of hearing. It makes sure they get the same fair treatment as anyone else in the courtroom, because an accurate translation is necessary for justice to work properly.