Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 50, December 14, 2024
Section 204 - Determination of Need for Interpreter(a)Proceedings to determine need for an inter-preter.-Ordinarily, the presiding judicial officer must appoint an interpreter after notice of need for an interpreter is given or a request for an interpreter is made. If, after considering the notice of need, the presiding judicial officer requires additional information in order to make the determination that the person is limited English proficient or deaf or hard of hearing, or of the appropriate language or means of communication with the interpreter, he or she may request any additional filings from the parties or conduct any proceedings he or she deems necessary including, but not limited to, conducting the voir dire for determination of need for an interpreter for persons with limited English proficiency or who are deaf or hard of hearing established by the Court Administrator. If the Appellate Court Prothonotary/District Court Administrator or his or her designee requires additional information, he or she may request additional information and may request that the presiding judicial officer conduct proceedings to determine the need for an interpreter.(b) If, during the course of the judicial proceeding, and without regard to whether notice of need for an interpreter was given, the presiding judicial officer determines that a principal party in interest is a person with limited English proficiency or that a principal party in interest, witness, direct victim, or juror is deaf or hard of hearing and is in need of an interpreter, he or she shall give notice to the Appellate Court Prothonotary/District Court Administrator or his or her designee as provided in § 202(d) (relating to persons to notify court concerning need for interpreters).The provisions of this § 204 added November 22, 2021, effective 1/1/2022, 51 Pa.B. 7415.