Chapter 12 - § 12.5 INTERPRETERS

• Jurisdiction: Colorado

§ 12.5 INTERPRETERS

Colorado

➢ Appointment. An interpreter should be appointed if the witness does not have adequate ability to speak and/or understand English. See Valko v. Grady, 478 P.2d 703, 704-05 (Colo. App. 1970). Appointment of an interpreter lies within the discretion of the court. Nesteroff v. People, 71 Colo. 208, 210, 205 P. 531, 532 (Colo. 1922). When a trial court is not on notice of a party's difficulty in communicating in English, the party or the party's attorney has the responsibility to request an interpreter. People v. Chavez, 2012 COA 61.
➢ Qualification. An interpreter is subject to the provisions of the Colorado Rules of Evidence "relating to qualification as an expert and the administration of an oath or affirmation that he will make a true translation." CRE 604. Thus, an interpreter must be "qualified by virtue of his or her 'knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education.'" People v. Braley, 879 P.2d 410, 412 (Colo. App. 1993). Interpreters for the hearing-impaired must be selected from a list of qualified interpreters maintained by the division of rehabilitation. C.R.S. §§ 13-90-204 and -205.

Federal

➢ Appointment. An interpreter should be appointed if the witness does not have adequate ability to speak and/or understand English. Appointment of an interpreter

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