Rule 28. Court-Appointed Interpreters and Translators

The court may provide, or when required by administrative order or statute shall provide, to individuals eligible to receive court-appointed interpretation or translation services, an interpreter or translator and determine the reasonable compensation for the service when funded by the court. An interpreter or translator shall be appropriately sworn.

Committee Notes

Committee Advisory Note [December 2014] The Rule mirrors the content of Rule 28 of the Maine Rules of Criminal Procedure.

[Advisory Notes to former Maine Rules of Criminal Procedure]

Advisory Committee Note—1976 [M.R. Crim. P. 28.] These amendments are to be effective February 2, 1976 to coincide with the effective date of the Maine Rules of Evidence. Their purpose is to bring the Rules of Criminal Procedure into conformity with the Rules of Evidence.

Advisory Committee Note—1984 [M.R. Crim. P. 28.] The amendment deletes language thought to be unnecessary.

Advisory Note – 2008 M.R.Crim.P. 28. The amendment does two things. First, it adds the term "translator" to the existing term "interpreter". No attempt is being made by this change to distinguish the services performed by either; rather the change is to ensure that all communication services, oral or written, needed by persons with limited English proficiency or individuals whose primary language is American Sign Language or individuals who are deaf or hard-ofhearing are included. Second, it brings the rule into conformity with current administrative order and statutory requirements. See Administrative Order JB-06-3, Guidelines for Determination of Eligibility for Court-Appointed Interpretation and Translation Services , effective October 11, 2006 (addressing persons with limited English proficiency in Maine's state courts other than individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing); 5 M.R.S. § 48-A (Supp. 2006), entitled "Communication services for deaf persons and hard-of-hearing persons in court and other legal settings;" and 32 M.R.S. Chapter 22 [§§ 15211531] (Supp. 2006), entitled "American Sign Language, English Interpreters and Transliterators."