§5-14A-3. Appointment of interpreter in court action or grand
jury proceeding.
(a) In any case before any court or the grand jury, wherein
any deaf person is a complainant, defendant or witness, a qualified
interpreter to interpret the proceedings to the deaf person and
interpret his or her testimony or statements and to assist in
preparation with counsel shall be appointed as provided under the
provisions of section seven, article five, chapter fifty-seven of
this code. The court shall work closely with West Virginia
commission for the deaf and hard-of-hearing in finding the right
interpreter for any duty in court.
(b) Efforts to obtain the services of a qualified interpreter
certified with a legal skills certificate, or a comprehensive oral
interpreting certificate will be made prior to accepting services
of an interpreter with lesser certification. No qualified
interpreter shall be appointed unless the appointing authority and
the deaf person make a preliminary determination that the
interpreter is able to communicate readily with the deaf person and
is able to interpret accurately the statement of the deaf person
and interpret the proceedings in which a deaf person may be
involved.