A family member or friend can be a language interpreter as long as he or she knows both English and Spanish.

• A. True
• B. Only in counties with population over 50,000
• C. The court must appoint a licensed interpreter regardless
• D. False

Answer: (D)

Interpreting in a legal setting isn’t just about knowing two languages. It requires impartiality, accuracy, and confidentiality, along with specialized knowledge of legal terminology and procedures. A family member or friend, even if fluent in both languages, may have biases or gaps in interpreting nuanced legal terms, which can affect a person’s rights and the fairness of the proceedings. That’s why courts rely on qualified, typically licensed or certified interpreters who are sworn to uphold ethical standards. In most cases, a professional interpreter must be provided to ensure an accurate and trustworthy translation.

So the statement isn’t correct because language ability alone isn’t enough to serve as an interpreter in court.