Rule 28 Interpreters

If someone in a criminal case needs an interpreter, the court can pick one and approve how much that person gets paid. This might apply to a defendant, a witness, or anyone else involved in the case who needs help understanding or speaking in court.

The money to pay the interpreter comes from government funds or other legal sources, and the court decides how that payment gets handled. This rule makes sure language barriers don't stop someone from understanding what's happening in their own case or from being able to testify or participate fully.

This rule has been in effect since December 1, 2017.