SECTION 360.313. Qualifications of Certified Court Interpreters

(a) In each civil case, deposition, or criminal action in a Texas court for which a person interprets testimony, the person must be qualified, as that term is defined in Civil Practice and Remedies Code, §21.003, and Code of Criminal Procedure, Art. 38.31(g), as court interpreter for that particular case before beginning to interpret testimony.

(b) A person must show proof that the person is qualified, as that term is defined in Civil Practice and Remedies Code, §21.003, and Code of Criminal Procedure, Art. 38.31(g), under this subsection to act as a court interpreter.

(c) In order to act as court interpreter for a particular case, the person must present to the judge presiding, or to the court reporter at a deposition, either:

(1) a current card issued by DARS, stating that the person is certified as a court interpreter; or

(2) a current membership card issued in the name of the person by RID, carrying the designations "Certified" and "SC:L."

(d) A qualified interpreter in a criminal action in a Texas court, including an arraignment, hearing, examining trial, and trial, for a person who has a hearing impairment that inhibits the person's comprehension of the proceedings or communication with others, must hold a current court interpreter certificate issued by DARS or a current legal certificate issued by RID.

Source Note: The provisions of this §360.313 adopted to be effective April 24, 2013, 38 TexReg 2513; transferred effective March 1, 2021, as published in the Texas Register February 5, 2021, 46 TexReg 946