An Interpreter In Court
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 476.803 — qualified interpreters in all legal proceedings for a non-English-speaking party or witness
Missouri courts appoint qualified interpreters and translators in all legal proceedings in which a non-English-speaking person is a party or a witness, and appoint one for the non-English-speaking parent, guardian or custodian of a juvenile brought before the court.
Notice. A non-English-speaking party, or a party intending to call a non-English-speaking witness, gives the court whatever prior notice of the need the court rules require.
Waiver, and taking it back. The court may accept a waiver of the right to a qualified interpreter only after advising the person of the nature and effect of the waiver and determining it was made knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily. The person may retract the waiver and ask for an interpreter.
The oath and its limits. The interpreter swears to make a true interpretation both ways with their best skill and judgment, and does not give explanations or legal advice or express personal opinions. An interpreter cannot be compelled to testify to what would otherwise be protected by attorney client privilege.
Interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are covered by separate sections. 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 Missouri attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 476.803 — Appointment of interpreters and translators, when; waiver, when; oath required
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Missouri attorney.