Rule Text
An interpreter must be qualified and must give an oath or affirmation to make a true translation.
Amendment history: The provisions of this Rule 604 amended March 29, 2001, effective April 1, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 1993; amended March 21, 2012, effective in thirty days, 42 Pa.B. 1858; rescinded and replaced January 17, 2013, effective in sixty days, 43 Pa.B. 620. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (360809) to (360810).
Plain-English Summary (for reference only — not a substitute for the rule text above)
This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
If someone in court needs an interpreter, that person must actually know how to translate properly between the two languages. The court will check that the interpreter has the skills needed to do the job.
Before the interpreter starts, they must take an oath or make a formal promise to translate accurately and honestly. This means they are legally required to give a true and correct translation of everything said, not their own version of it.
Committee Notes
In 2006, legislation was enacted pertaining to the certification, appointment, and use of interpreters in judicial and administrative proceedings for persons having limited proficiency with the English language and persons who are deaf. See 42 Pa.C.S. § § 4401—4438; 2 Pa.C.S. § § 561—588. Pursuant to this legislation, the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts (‘‘AOPC’’) has implemented an interpreter program for judicial proceedings. See 204 Pa. Code § § 221.101—.407. Information on the court interpreter program and a roster of court interpreters may be obtained from the AOPC web site at www.pacourts.us/t/aopc/courtinterpreterprog.
Adopted May 8, 1998, effective October 1, 1998; Comment revised March 29, 2001, effective April 1, 2001; amended and Comment revised March 21, 2012, effective in 30 days; rescinded and replaced January 17, 2013, effective March 18, 2013.
Final Report explaining the March 29, 2001 revision of the Comment published with the Court’s Order at 31 Pa.B. 1995 (April 14, 2001).
Final Report explaining the January 17, 2013 rescission and replacement published with the Court’s Order at 43 Pa.B. 651 (February 2, 2013).
