An interpreter for a defendant who is hard of hearing must be a certified interpreter.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only if the judge orders
• D. Only for deaf or hard of hearing defendants

Answer: (A)

In court, accurate and impartial communication is essential. A certified interpreter has proven skills, training, and knowledge specific to legal settings, including mastery of interpreting techniques and a solid grasp of legal terminology. This certification signals that the interpreter can render everything the defendant needs to understand—without omissions or added bias—so the defendant can participate effectively in the proceedings.

For someone who is hard of hearing, this accuracy matters even more, because any misinterpretation could affect rights to due process and the ability to assist in their own defense. Certification also anchors ethical standards, such as confidentiality and neutrality, which are crucial in a courtroom.

Relying on an uncertified person or waiting for a judge’s order is not as reliable a safeguard for communication and rights. And limiting the requirement to only those who are deaf or hard of hearing would overlook other cases where a defendant needs clear, qualified interpretation.