Rule 1.111 - Foreign Language Interpreters(A) Definitions When used in this rule, the following words and phrases have the following definitions:
(1)"Case or Court Proceeding" means any hearing, trial, or other appearance before any court in this state in an action, appeal, or other proceeding, including any matter conducted by a judge, magistrate, referee, or other hearing officer.(2)"Party" means a person named as a party or a person with legal decision-making authority in the case or court proceeding.(3) A person is "financially able to pay for interpretation costs" if the court determines that requiring reimbursement of interpretation costs will not pose an unreasonable burden on the person's ability to have meaningful access to the court. For purposes of this rule, a person is financially able to pay for interpretation costs when:(a) The person's family or household income is greater than 125% of the federal poverty level; and(b) An assessment of interpretation costs at the conclusion of the litigation would not unreasonably impede the person's ability to defend or pursue the claims involved in the matter.(4) "Certified foreign language interpreter" means a person who has: (a) passed a foreign language interpreter test administered by the State Court Administrative Office or a similar state or federal test approved by the state court administrator,(b) met all the requirements established by the state court administrator for this interpreter classification, and(c) registered with the State Court Administrative Office.(5) "Interpret" and "interpretation" mean the oral rendering of spoken communication from one language to another without change in meaning.(6) "Qualified foreign language interpreter" means:(a) A person who provides interpretation services, provided that the person has: (i) registered with the State Court Administrative Office; and(ii) passed the consecutive portion of a foreign language interpreter test administered by the State Court Administrative Office or a similar state or federal test approved by the state court administrator (if testing exists for the language), and is actively engaged in becoming certified; and(iii) met the requirements established by the state court administrator for this interpreter classification; and(iv) been determined by the court after voir dire to be competent to provide interpretation services for the proceeding in which the interpreter is providing services, or(b) A person who works for an entity that provides in-person interpretation services provided that: (i) both the entity and the person have registered with the State Court Administrative Office; and(ii) the person has met the requirements established by the state court administrator for this interpreter classification; and(iii) the person has been determined by the court after voir dire to be competent to provide interpretation services for the proceeding in which the interpreter is providing services, or(c) A person who works for an entity that provides interpretation services by telecommunication equipment, provided that: (i) the entity has registered with the State Court Administrative Office; and(ii) the entity has met the requirements established by the state court administrator for this interpreter classification; and(iii) the person has been determined by the court after voir dire to be competent to provide interpretation services for the proceeding in which the interpreter is providing services(B) Appointment of a Foreign Language Interpreter(1) If a person requests a foreign language interpreter and the court determines such services are necessary for the person to meaningfully participate in the case or court proceeding, or on the court's own determination that foreign language interpreter services are necessary for a person to meaningfully participate in the case or court proceeding, the court shall appoint a foreign language interpreter for that person if the person is a witness testifying in a civil or criminal case or court proceeding or is a party.(2) The court may appoint a foreign language interpreter for a person other than a party or witness who has a substantial interest in the case or court proceeding.(3) In order to determine whether the services of a foreign language interpreter are necessary for a person to meaningfully participate under subrule (B)(1), the court shall rely upon a request by an LEP individual (or a request made on behalf of an LEP individual) or prior notice in the record. If no such requests have been made, the court may conduct an examination of the person on the record to determine whether such services are necessary. During the examination, the court may use a foreign language interpreter. For purposes of this examination, the court is not required to comply with the requirements of subrule (F) and the foreign language interpreter may participate remotely.(C) Waiver of Appointment of Foreign Language Interpreter A person may waive the right to a foreign language interpreter established under subrule (B)(1) unless the court determines that the interpreter is required for the protection of the person's rights and the integrity of the case or court proceeding. The court must find on the record that a person's waiver of an interpreter is knowing and voluntary. When accepting the person's waiver, the court may use a foreign language interpreter. For purposes of this waiver, the court is not required to comply with the requirements of subrule (F) and the foreign language interpreter may participate remotely.
(D) Recordings The court may make a recording of anything said by a foreign language interpreter or a limited English proficient person while testifying or responding to a colloquy during those portions of the proceedings.
(E) Avoidance of Potential Conflicts of Interest(1) The court should use all reasonable efforts to avoid potential conflicts of interest when appointing a person as a foreign language interpreter and shall state its reasons on the record for appointing the person if any of the following applies: (a) The interpreter is compensated by a business owned or controlled by a party or a witness;(b) The interpreter is a friend, a family member, or a household member of a party or witness;(c) The interpreter is a potential witness;(d) The interpreter is a law enforcement officer;(e) The interpreter has a pecuniary or other interest in the outcome of the case;(f) The appointment of the interpreter would not serve to protect a party's rights or ensure the integrity of the proceedings;(g) The interpreter does have, or may have, a perceived conflict of interest;(h) The appointment of the interpreter creates an appearance of impropriety.(2) A court employee may interpret legal proceedings as follows:(a) The court may employ a person as an interpreter. The employee must meet the minimum requirements for interpreters established by subrule (A)(4). The state court administrator may authorize the court to hire a person who does not meet the minimum requirements established by subrule (A)(4) for good cause including the unavailability of a certification test for the foreign language and the absence of certified interpreters for the foreign language in the geographic area in which the court sits. The court seeking authorization from the state court administrator shall provide proof of the employee's competency to act as an interpreter and shall submit a plan for the employee to meet the minimum requirements established by subrule (A)(4) within a reasonable time.(b) The court may use an employee as an interpreter if the employee meets the minimum requirements for interpreters established by this rule and is not otherwise disqualified.(F) Appointment of Foreign Language Interpreters(1) When the court appoints a foreign language interpreter under subrule (B)(1), the court shall appoint a certified foreign language interpreter whenever practicable. If a certified foreign language interpreter is not reasonably available, and after considering the gravity of the proceedings and whether the matter should be rescheduled, the court may appoint a qualified foreign language interpreter who meets the qualifications in (A)(6). The court shall make a record of its reasons for using a qualified foreign language interpreter.(2) If neither a certified foreign language interpreter nor a qualified foreign language interpreter is reasonably available, and after considering the gravity of the proceeding and whether the matter should be rescheduled, the court may appoint a person whom the court determines through voir dire to be capable of conveying the intent and content of the speaker's words sufficiently to allow the court to conduct the proceeding without prejudice to the limited English proficient person.(3) The court shall appoint a single interpreter for a case or court proceeding. The court may appoint more than one interpreter after consideration of the nature and duration of the proceeding; the number of parties in interest and witnesses requiring an interpreter; the primary languages of those persons; and the quality of the remote technology that may be utilized when deemed necessary by the court to ensure effective communication in any case or court proceeding.(4) The court may set reasonable compensation for interpreters who are appointed by the court. Court-appointed interpreter costs are to be paid out of funds provided by law or by the court.(5) If a party is financially able to pay for interpretation costs, the court may order the party to reimburse the court for all or a portion of interpretation costs.(6) Any doubts as to eligibility for interpreter services should be resolved in favor of appointment of an interpreter.(7) At the time of determining eligibility, the court shall inform the party or witness of the penalties for making a false statement. The party has the continuing obligation to inform the court of any change in financial status and, upon request of the court, the party must submit financial information.(G) Administration of Oath or Affirmation to Interpreters The court shall administer an oath or affirmation to a foreign language interpreter substantially conforming to the following: "Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will truly, accurately, and impartially interpret in the matter now before the court and not divulge confidential communications, so help you God?"
(H) Request for Review (1) Any time a court denies a request for the appointment of a foreign language interpreter or orders reimbursement of interpretation costs, it shall do so by written order.(2) An LEP individual may immediately request review of the denial of appointment of a foreign language interpreter or an assessment for the reimbursement of interpretation costs. A request for review must be submitted to the court within 56 days after entry of the order. (a) In a court having two or more judges, the chief judge shall decide the request for review de novo.(b) In a single-judge court, or if the denial was issued by a chief judge, the judge shall refer the request for review to the state court administrator for assignment to another judge, who shall decide the request de novo.(c) A pending request for review under this subrule stays the underlying litigation.(d) A pending request for review under this subrule must be decided on an expedited basis.(e) No motion fee is required for a request for review made under this subrule. Rule 1.11 amended January 29, 2014, effective immediately and pending public comment; amended May 7, 2014, effective immediately; amended May 22, 2019, effective 9/1/2019.