RULE 28. INTERPRETERS
Effective Date: 3/1/2006
Obsolete Date: 3/1/2014
The court may select, appoint, and set the reasonable compensation for an interpreter. The compensation must be paid from funds provided by law or as the court directs.
Rule 28 was amended, effective March 1, 2006; March 1, 2014. The explanatory note was amended August 1, 2015.
Rule 28 was amended, effective March 1, 2014, to reflect the American Bar Association Standards for Language Access in Courts.
Former subdivision (a) provided for the appointment of expert witnesses. This provision was deleted, effective March 1, 2006, because N.D.R.Ev. 706 covers the topic of court-appointed expert witnesses in detail.
Rule 28 permits the court to appoint interpreters in appropriate circumstances. The purpose of the rule is to assist non-English-speaking or deaf defendants witnesses, persons with legal decision-making authority, or persons with a significant legal interest in the matter in understanding the proceedings or in communicating with assigned counsel. N.D.Sup.Ct.Admin.R. 50 (Court Interpreter Qualifications and Procedures) provides guidance on interpreter qualifications and requirements and detailed information on payment for interpreter services.
Rule 28 was amended, effective March 1, 2006, in response to the December 1, 2002, revision of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. The language and organization of the rule were changed to make the rule more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules.
SOURCES: Joint Procedure Committee Minutes of Joint Procedure Committee Minutes of January 29-30, 2015, pages 8-10; September 25-26, 2014, pages 20-24; April 25-26, 2013, pages 16-18; January 31-February 1, 2013, pages 12-15; January 27-28, 2005, pages 22-23; October 17-20, 1972, pages 32-33; February 20-21, 1969, pages 4-5; Fed.R.Crim.P. 28.
STATUTES AFFECTED:
SUPERSEDED: N.D.C.C. §§ 31-01-11; 31-01-12
CONSIDERED: N.D.C.C. §§ 28-26-06, ch. 28-33.
CROSS REFERENCE: N.D.R.Ev. 604 (Interpreters), N.D.R.Ev. 706 (Court Appointed Experts); N.D.R.Ct. 6.10 (Courtroom Oaths); N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 50 (Court Interpreter Qualifications and Procedures).