Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Rhode Island General Laws Title 8. Courts and Civil Procedure--Courts § 8-19-3. Appointment of certified or qualified interpreters

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) When a limited-English-proficient person is a party, or the parent or legal guardian of a party, to a legal proceeding, or an alleged victim in a criminal proceeding, the appointing authority shall appoint a certified interpreter to assist such person during the legal proceeding. The state court administrator's office shall maintain a list of Rhode Island certified and qualified interpreters from which the appointing authority shall make its appointments.

(b) The appointing authority may appoint a qualified interpreter in place of a certified interpreter when:

(1) A good-faith effort has been made to locate and obtain the services of a certified interpreter and one is not available; and

(2) The appointing authority makes a finding that the proposed qualified interpreter appears to have adequate language skills; knowledge of interpreting techniques; familiarity with interpreting in a court or hearing; and that he/she has read, understands, and will abide by an established code of ethics for language interpreters pursuant to this chapter; and

(3) The proceeding is one of a preliminary nature and of a short duration. Proceedings of a preliminary nature may include but not be limited to:

(i) Arraignments;

(ii) Costs, restitution, and/or fine reviews;

(iii) Probation reviews;

(iv) Preliminary hearings on pretrial motions; and

(v) Appearances before the court on bench warrants or arrest warrants.

(c) If any relationship between the interpreter and any of the parties, attorneys, witnesses, victims, or any other persons involved in the proceeding exists, the nature of that relationship shall be disclosed to the appointing authority on the record and the appointing authority may in its discretion excuse the interpreter from said proceeding.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Rhode Island General Laws Title 8. Courts and Civil Procedure--Courts § 8-19-3. Appointment of certified or qualified interpreters - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-8-courts-and-civil-procedure-courts/ri-gen-laws-sect-8-19-3/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard