Under what conditions may a municipal court located in a county with a population of at least 50,000 appoint a non-certified spoken language interpreter for a non-English speaking defendant?

• A. The language necessary is not Spanish; and there is a licensed interpreter within 75 miles
• B. The language necessary is not Spanish; there is no licensed interpreter within 75 miles
• C. The language necessary is Spanish; and there is a licensed interpreter within 75 miles
• D. The language necessary is not English; and there is a licensed interpreter within 75 miles

Answer: (B)

Availability of licensed interpreters within 75 miles drives when a non-certified interpreter may be used. In a county with at least 50,000 people, a non-certified spoken language interpreter may be appointed only if the language needed is not Spanish and there is no licensed interpreter within 75 miles. This ensures that certified interpreters are used when available, while allowing a non-certified option only when no licensed interpreter is reasonably accessible nearby. If the language were Spanish, or if a licensed interpreter were within 75 miles, a non-certified interpreter would not be appropriate.