US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

      (a)      The court shall appoint a qualified interpreter to help a defendant in a criminal proceeding throughout any criminal proceeding when the defendant is:

            (1)      deaf; or

            (2)      cannot readily understand or communicate the English language and cannot understand a charge made against the defendant or help present the defense.

      (b)      The court shall give an interpreter appointed under this section:

            (1)      compensation for services in an amount equal to that provided for interpreters of languages other than English; and

            (2)      reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of services.