An Interpreter In Court
A.R.S. 12-242 — a qualified interpreter for a deaf party, witness or attorney, and at arrest
Arizona's general section lets a court appoint interpreters when necessary, summoned like witnesses. Its section for deaf persons makes the appointment a duty.
- In any civil or criminal case or grand jury proceeding in which a deaf person is a witness, complainant, defendant or attorney, the court appoints a qualified interpreter to interpret the proceedings, the person's testimony or statements, and preparations with the person's attorney.
- When a juvenile whose parent or parents are deaf is brought before a court for any reason, the court appoints an interpreter for the parents.
- Proceedings before a state or local department, board, commission, agency or licensing authority carry the same duty.
At arrest. If a person known or ascertained to be deaf is arrested and taken into custody, the arresting officer, the officer's superiors or the court procures a qualified interpreter for the warnings of the privilege against self-incrimination, the interrogation, and the person's statements.
When it is not working. If the interpreter or the deaf person determines effective communication is not occurring, either may nominate a qualified intermediary interpreter. A communication privileged when made through an interpreter stays privileged as to the interpreter. The services may be knowingly and intelligently waived.
Court rules on interpreter certification, scheduling, and the interpreter's code of conduct sit alongside the statute and are not on this page. Whether a particular proceeding was interpreted adequately, and what follows if it was not, are questions for a licensed Arizona attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- A.R.S. 12-242 — Interpreters for deaf persons; proceedings; definitions
- A.R.S. 12-241 — Appointment; court attendance
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Arizona attorney.