§ 8-19-1 - Legislative declaration – Intent. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 8-19-1

   § 8-19-1  Legislative declaration –Intent. – It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of Rhode Island toguarantee the rights of persons who, because of a non-English speakingbackground, are unable to readily understand or communicate in the Englishlanguage, and who consequently need the assistance of an interpreter be fullyprotected in legal proceedings in criminal matters before the Rhode Islandsuperior court, the Rhode Island district court, and in juvenile matters in theRhode Island family court. Court interpretation requires not only a fullcommand of two (2) languages, but also a knowledge of courtroom procedure,legal vocabulary, the overall court and legal systems, and an understandingthat the role of an interpreter consists not of abridging or editorializing,but of exactly interpreting every word that is spoken without emendation oramendment.

   It is the intent of the legislature, by the enactment of thischapter, to provide interpreters to non-English speaking persons in criminalproceedings before the state courts in Rhode Island and to establish aprocedure for the certification and appointment of interpreters.