Rule 28 Interpreters

Here's a plain English summary of this rule:

If someone in a criminal case needs help understanding English, or if witnesses need to testify in a different language, the court can bring in an interpreter to help. The judge gets to pick who the interpreter will be, rather than leaving that choice up to the parties involved.

The interpreter doesn't work for free. The court decides how much the interpreter should be paid based on what's fair for the job. This payment comes from government funds or other legal sources, not from the defendant's own pocket.

This rule matters because it means language barriers shouldn't stop someone from getting a fair trial. If you or a witness in your case doesn't speak English well, the court has a way to make sure everyone can understand what's happening and communicate clearly.