Ethics & Professional Responsibility Flashcards

A court interpreter receives a subpoena requiring them to disclose confidential attorney-client communications they interpreted. The interpreter should:

Answer: Consult with an attorney and assert the privilege if applicable, as communications may be protected

Interpreter-facilitated attorney-client communications may be protected by privilege; legal counsel should be sought before disclosing.

During a break, a victim approaches the court interpreter saying they are scared and asking for advice. The ethically correct response is to:

Answer: Decline to provide advice and refer the victim to appropriate court personnel

Interpreters must maintain impartiality and avoid any role that could be perceived as advocacy or counseling.

A court interpreter notices that the defense counsel's question to the witness contains a misleading premise. The interpreter should:

Answer: Interpret the question accurately as asked

The interpreter's role is to render speech accurately; objections to question form are the responsibility of opposing counsel.

What is the primary purpose of sight translation in court proceedings?

Answer: To render a written document into spoken language for a party who cannot read the source language

Sight translation allows a non-English speaker to understand documents read aloud during proceedings by rendering them orally in real time.

A court interpreter is fluent in Spanish but the defendant speaks Guatemalan Mam, a Mayan language. The interpreter should:

Answer: Inform the court immediately that a different language interpreter is needed

Every defendant has a right to interpretation in their actual language; proceeding in an unintelligible language violates due process.

Which standard governs the ethical conduct of federally certified court interpreters in U.S. district courts?

Answer: Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters in the Judiciary

The Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters in the Judiciary, adopted by many federal and state courts, is the primary ethical standard for court interpreters.

A court interpreter is offered a gift by a grateful defendant's family after a successful acquittal. The interpreter should:

Answer: Decline the gift to avoid any appearance of partiality or impropriety

Accepting gifts from parties can create the appearance of partiality and is inconsistent with professional ethical standards.