Ethical & Professional Conduct Flashcards

An interpreter notices that the attorney is asking leading questions that are confusing the witness. What should the interpreter do?

Answer: Interpret the question exactly as asked, preserving its nature

Interpreters must render all speech faithfully without altering, omitting, or clarifying content, even if questions seem confusing or leading.

A court interpreter is approached outside the courtroom by a juror asking what a Spanish term used during testimony meant. The interpreter should:

Answer: Refuse to communicate and report the contact to the judge

Interpreters must avoid all ex parte communications with jurors and report any such contact to the court immediately.

During a deposition, the interpreter realizes they misinterpreted a key term three exchanges ago. What is the correct course of action?

Answer: Immediately alert all parties and provide the correct interpretation

Interpreters must immediately correct any errors they discover during a proceeding to preserve the accuracy of the record.

An interpreter working in a small community is asked to interpret for someone who is a close friend of a family member. The interpreter should:

Answer: Disclose the relationship and allow the court to decide whether to assign a different interpreter

Interpreters must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, including indirect relationships, and let the presiding authority decide on reassignment.

Which behavior best demonstrates the BEI principle of interpreter impartiality?

Answer: Interpreting all parties' speech with equal fidelity regardless of personal views

Impartiality requires interpreting all parties' statements with the same accuracy and without favoring any side.

A certified interpreter is asked to interpret a proceeding in a dialect they are unfamiliar with. They should:

Answer: Decline the assignment and inform the court of their limitation

Interpreters must only accept assignments within their competence, including dialect proficiency, and decline those outside their abilities.

An interpreter is subpoenaed to testify about a conversation they interpreted in a prior case. What ethical obligation applies?

Answer: Comply with the legal subpoena and testify truthfully

Unlike attorney-client privilege, interpreter confidentiality yields to lawful subpoenas, and interpreters must comply and testify truthfully.