An Interpreter In Court
S.C. Code 17-1-50 and S.C. Code 15-27-15 — appointed in a criminal case, and for a deaf party or witness, with the state paying
A criminal case: must appoint. Whenever a party, witness or victim in a criminal proceeding does not understand or speak English well enough to follow it or to testify, the court must appoint a certified or otherwise qualified interpreter, paid from the state's general fund.
A qualified interpreter is eighteen years of age or older, is not a family member of a party or witness, and can interpret simultaneously and consecutively and sight translate documents. The court may waive one only on finding on the record that the person asked for the waiver knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently, and that it serves justice.
A deaf party or witness. Whenever a deaf person is a party or witness in any legal proceeding, civil, criminal, family or traffic, the court must appoint as many qualified interpreters as are needed, approved by the deaf person, paid from the state's general fund, unless the person waives one or picks someone else and the court finds that serves the person and justice.
In a civil proceeding, where a party or witness does not speak English well enough to testify, the court may appoint a qualified interpreter, and the fee may be paid by the state, by a party, or taxed as costs as the court directs.
The Division of Court Administration keeps a centralized list of interpreters, and one not on it may serve on a sworn affidavit of qualifications. Selection and payment follow the Chief Justice's guidelines. A particular case is a question for the clerk of court or a licensed South Carolina attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- S.C. Code 17-1-50 — Interpreters in criminal proceedings
- S.C. Code 15-27-15 — Interpreters for deaf person who is party to legal proceeding or witness
- S.C. Code 15-27-155 — Interpreter for party or witness unable to speak English
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Carolina attorney.