2023 Texas Statutes › Code of Criminal Procedure › Title 1 - Code of Criminal Procedure › Chapter 38 - Evidence in Criminal Actions › Article 38.31. Interpreters for Deaf Persons

(a)  If the court is notified by a party that the defendant is deaf and will be present at an arraignment, hearing, examining trial, or trial, or that a witness is deaf and will be called at a hearing, examining trial, or trial, the court shall appoint a qualified interpreter to interpret the proceedings in any language that the deaf person can understand, including but not limited to sign language.  On the court's motion or the motion of a party, the court may order testimony of a deaf witness and the interpretation of that testimony by the interpreter visually, electronically recorded for use in verification of the transcription of the reporter's notes.  The clerk of the court shall include that recording in the appellate record if requested by a party under Article 40.09 of this Code.
(b) Following the filing of an indictment, information, or complaint against a deaf defendant, the court on the motion of the defendant shall appoint a qualified interpreter to interpret in a language that the defendant can understand, including but not limited to sign language, communications concerning the case between the defendant and defense counsel.  The interpreter may not disclose a communication between the defendant and defense counsel or a fact that came to the attention of the interpreter while interpreting those communications if defense counsel may not disclose that communication or fact.
(c) In all cases where the mental condition of a person is being considered and where such person may be committed to a mental institution, and where such person is deaf, all of the court proceedings pertaining to him shall be interpreted by a qualified interpreter appointed by the court.
(d) A proceeding for which an interpreter is required to be appointed under this Article may not commence until the appointed interpreter is in a position not exceeding ten feet from and in full view of the deaf person.
(e) The interpreter appointed under the terms of this Article shall be required to take an oath that he will make a true interpretation to the person accused or being examined, which person is deaf, of all the proceedings of his case in a language that he understands;  and that he will repeat said deaf person's answer to questions to counsel, court, or jury, in the English language, in his best skill and judgment.
(f) Interpreters appointed under this Article are entitled to a reasonable fee determined by the court after considering the recommendations of the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  When travel of the interpreter is involved all the actual expenses of travel, lodging, and meals incurred by the interpreter pertaining to the case he is appointed to serve shall be paid at the same rate applicable to state employees.
(g) In this Code:
(1) "Deaf person" means a person who has a hearing impairment, regardless of whether the person also has a speech impairment, that inhibits the person's comprehension of the proceedings or communication with others.
(2)  "Qualified interpreter" means an interpreter for the deaf who holds a current legal certificate issued by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or a current court interpreter certificate issued by the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters at the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services.
Acts 1965, 59th Leg., vol. 2, p. 317, ch. 722.  Amended by Acts 1967, 60th Leg., p. 195, ch. 105, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 28, 1967.
Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 396, ch. 186, Sec. 1, eff. May 15, 1979;  Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 434, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 1987;  Subsec. (f) amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 835, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 614 (H.B. 2200), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2006.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 161 (S.B. 1093), Sec. 3.006, eff. September 1, 2013.