Under Texas law, interpreters not licensed may only be appointed if they are qualified under what?

• A. The Texas Rules of Evidence
• B. The Texas Civil Procedure
• C. The Texas Penal Code
• D. The Rules of Evidence are not required

Answer: (A)

Interpreters who aren’t licensed must be evaluated and qualified under the Texas Rules of Evidence before they can be appointed. Those rules set the standards for who may interpret in court and how they must perform to protect the accuracy and fairness of testimony. They ensure the interpreter has sufficient language proficiency, understands court procedures, and can translate accurately and impartially, so the defendant’s rights and the truth-seeking process are preserved. The Texas Civil Procedure rules govern general litigation procedure and don’t establish the specific qualification framework for interpreters, while the Penal Code covers criminal law provisions rather than interpreter qualifications. That’s why the Rules of Evidence provide the proper basis for appointing an unlicensed interpreter.