2.43.010 – Legislative intent.

RCW 2.43.010 Legislative intent. It is hereby declared to be the policy of this state to secure the rights, constitutional or otherwise, of persons who, because of a non-English-speaking cultural background, are unable to readily understand or communicate in the English language, and who consequently cannot be fully protected in legal proceedings unless qualified interpreters […]

2.43.020 – Definitions.

RCW 2.43.020 Definitions. As used in this chapter: (1) “Appointing authority” means the presiding officer or similar official of any court, department, board, commission, agency, licensing authority, or legislative body of the state or of any political subdivision thereof. (2) “Certified interpreter” means an interpreter who is certified by the administrative office of the courts. […]

2.43.030 – Appointment of interpreter.

RCW 2.43.030 Appointment of interpreter. (1) Whenever an interpreter is appointed to assist a non-English-speaking person in a legal proceeding, the appointing authority shall, in the absence of a written waiver by the person, appoint a certified or a qualified interpreter to assist the person throughout the proceedings. (a) Except as otherwise provided for in […]

2.43.040 – Fees and expenses—Cost of providing interpreter—Reimbursement.

RCW 2.43.040 Fees and expenses—Cost of providing interpreter—Reimbursement. (1) Interpreters appointed according to this chapter are entitled to a reasonable fee for their services and shall be reimbursed for actual expenses which are reasonable as provided in this section. (2) In all legal proceedings in which the non-English-speaking person is a party, or is subpoenaed […]

2.43.050 – Oath.

RCW 2.43.050 Oath. (1) Upon certification or registration with the administrative office of the courts, certified or registered interpreters shall take an oath, affirming that the interpreter will make a true interpretation to the person being examined of all the proceedings in a language which the person understands, and that the interpreter will repeat the […]

2.43.060 – Waiver of right to interpreter.

RCW 2.43.060 Waiver of right to interpreter. (1) The right to a qualified interpreter may not be waived except when: (a) A non-English-speaking person requests a waiver; and (b) The appointing authority determines on the record that the waiver has been made knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently. (2) Waiver of a qualified interpreter may be set […]

2.43.070 – Testing, certification of interpreters.

RCW 2.43.070 Testing, certification of interpreters. (1) Subject to the availability of funds, the administrative office of the courts shall establish and administer a comprehensive testing and certification program for language interpreters. (2) The administrative office of the courts shall work cooperatively with community colleges and other private or public educational institutions, and with other […]

2.43.080 – Code of ethics.

RCW 2.43.080 Code of ethics. All language interpreters serving in a legal proceeding, whether or not certified or qualified, shall abide by a code of ethics established by supreme court rule. [ 1989 c 358 § 8. Formerly RCW 2.42.270.] NOTES: Severability—1989 c 358: See note following RCW 2.43.010.

2.43.090 – Language assistance plan—Required for each trial court—Submission of plan to interpreter commission—Report.

RCW 2.43.090 Language assistance plan—Required for each trial court—Submission of plan to interpreter commission—Report. (1) Each trial court organized under this title and Titles 3 and 35 RCW must develop a written language assistance plan to provide a framework for the provision of interpreter services for non-English-speaking persons accessing the court system in both civil […]