AB 2727, as introduced, Chu. Courts: interpreters.
Under existing law, if a witness in a court action is incapable of understanding the English language or is incapable of expressing himself or herself in the English language so as to be understood directly by counsel, court, and jury, an interpreter whom the witness can understand and who can understand the witness must be sworn to interpret for the witness. Existing law requires an interpreter to take an oath that he or she will make a true interpretation to the witness in a language that the witness understands and that the interpreter will make a true interpretation of the witness’ answers to questions to counsel, court, or jury, in the English language, with the interpreter’s best skill and judgment.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to the latter provision.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Section 751 of the Evidence Code is amended to
2read:
(a) An interpreter shall take an oath that he or she will
2make a true interpretation to the witness in a language that the
3witness understands and that he or she will make a true
4interpretation of the witness’ answers to questions to counsel,
5court, or jury, in the English language, with his or her best skill
6and judgment.
7(b) Inbegin delete anyend deletebegin insert aend insert proceeding in which a deaf orbegin delete hard-of-hearingend deletebegin insert
hard
8of hearingend insert person is testifying under oath, the interpreter certified
9pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 754 shall advise the court
10whenever he or she is unable to comply with his or her oath taken
11pursuant to subdivision (a).
12(c) A translator shall take an oath that he or she will make a true
13translation in the English language of any writing he or she is to
14decipher or translate.
15(d) An interpreter regularly employed by the court and certified
16or registered in accordance with Article 4 (commencing with
17Section 68560) of Chapter 2 of Title 8 of the Government Code,
18or a translator regularly employed by the court, may file an oath
19as prescribed by this section with the clerk of the court. The filed
20oath shall serve for all subsequent court proceedings until the
21appointment is revoked by the
court.
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