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- Never accept an interpreting assignment that you are
not qualified for and prepared to perform truthfully
and accurately.
- You
may not change, add, omit or paraphrase any part whatsoever
of the communication rendered.
- Do
not take sides, show bias or deference to either side.
- Be
prepared to interpret both simultaneously and consecutively,
if required.
- Be
familiar and comfortable with the right terminology
for the case.
- Show
respect for the court and for the judicial process
both in attire and demeanor.
- Honor
the confidentiality of all communications.
- Do
not interrupt or delay procedure.
- Show
no emotion or reaction to testimony.
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What to tell interpreter prior to
using them in trials
- What
the case is about : cast of characters (names and nicknames),
places, overall plot, time, sequence of events.
- Frequently
used numbers: amounts of drugs or money, accounts, phone
numbers, beeper numbers, etc.
- Where
the witness is from, how many years has he lived in the
U.S.
- Educational
level of witness, any speech defects or mental problems.
- Any
documents or evidence likely to be shown to the witness.
- Any
code words used, especially the original words used in the
foreign language. (If the word is "suits" and
there more than one variant of the word in Spanish, for
example, the interpreter may choose a word which is not
the same word as
used by the subjects.
MIR
Associates/Multi-Lingual Interpreter Resources ensures
that all our court interpreters strictly adhere to the following
Code of Ethics for Judiciary Interpreters:
- CANON
1: ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS
Interpreters shall render a complete and accurate interpretation
or sight translation, without altering, omitting, or adding
anything to what is stated or written, and without explanation.
- CANON
2: REPRESENTATION OF QUALIFICATIONS
Interpreters shall accurately and completely represent their
certifications, training, and pertinent experience.
- CANON
3: IMPARTIALITY AND AVOIDANCE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Interpreters shall be impartial and unbiased and shall refrain
from conduct that may give an appearance of bias. Interpreters
shall disclose any real or perceived conflict of interest.
- CANON
4: PROFESSIONAL DEMEANOR
Interpreters shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent
with the dignity of the court and shall be as unobtrusive
as possible.
- CANON
5: CONFIDENTIALITY
Interpreters shall protect the confidentiality of all privileged
and other confidential information.
- CANON
6: RESTRICTION OF PUBLIC COMMENT
Interpreters shall not publicly discuss, report, or offer
an opinion concerning a matter in which they are or have
been engaged, even when that information is not privileged
or required by law to be confidential.
- CANON
7: SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Interpreters shall limit themselves to interpreting or translating,
and shall not give legal advice, express personal opinions
to individuals for whom they are interpreting, or engage
in any other activities which may be construed to constitute
a service other than interpreting or translating while serving
as an interpreter.
- CANON
8: ASSESSING AND REPORTING IMPEDIMENTS TO PERFORMANCE
Interpreters shall assess at all times their ability to
deliver their services. When interpreters have any reservation
about their ability to satisfy an assignment competently,
they shall immediately convey that reservation to the appropriate
judicial authority.
- CANON
9: DUTY TO REPORT ETHICAL VIOLATIONS
Interpreters shall report to the proper judicial authority
any effort to impede their compliance with any law, any
provision of this code, or any other official policy governing
court interpreting and legal translating.
- CANON
10: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Interpreters shall continually improve their skills and
knowledge and advance the profession through activities
such as professional training and education, and interaction
with colleagues and specialists in related fields.
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with the same level of education and intelligence. 