N.D. R. Crim. P. 28
If a person with limited English proficiency or a deaf person is involved in a proceeding as a defendant, witness, person with legal decision-making authority, or person with a significant legal interest in the matter, the court must provide an interpreter.
N.D. R. Crim. P. 28
Joint Procedure Committee Minutes of January 27-28, 2005, pages 22-23; October 17-20, 1972, pages 32-33; February 20-21, 1969, pages 4-5; Fed.R.Crim.P. 28.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Rule 28 was amended, effective 3/1/2006;3/1/2014. The explanatory note was amended August 1, 2015.
Rule 28 was amended, effective3/1/2014, to reflect the American Bar Association Standards for Language Access in Courts.
Former subdivision (a) provided for the appointment of expert witnesses. This provision was deleted, effective 3/1/2006, because N.D.R.Ev. 706 covers the topic of court-appointed expert witnesses in detail.
Rule 28 permits the court to appoint interpreters in appropriate circumstances. The purpose of the rule is to assist non-English-speaking or deaf defendants witnesses, persons with legal decision-making authority, or persons with a significant legal interest in the matter in understanding the proceedings or in communicating with assigned counsel. N.D.Sup.Ct.Admin.R. 50 (Court Interpreter Qualifications and Procedures) provides guidance on interpreter qualifications and requirements and detailed information on payment for interpreter services.
Rule 28 was amended, effective March 1, 2006, in response to the December 1, 2002, revision of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. The language and organization of the rule were changed to make the rule more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules.
STATUTES AFFECTED:
SUPERSEDED FOR CRIMINAL PROCESS ONLY: N.D.C.C. § 31-01-12
CONSIDERED: N.D.C.C. §§ 28-26-06, 31-01-11, ch. 29-20.
N.D.R.Ev. 706 (Court Appointed Experts); N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 50 (Court Interpreter Qualifications and Procedures).