Tex. Code of Crim. Proc. Article 38.30
Interpreter

(a)

When a motion for appointment of an interpreter is filed by any party or on motion of the court, in any criminal proceeding, it is determined that a person charged or a witness does not understand and speak the English language, an interpreter must be sworn to interpret for the person charged or the witness. Any person may be subpoenaed, attached or recognized in any criminal action or proceeding, to appear before the proper judge or court to act as interpreter therein, under the same rules and penalties as are provided for witnesses. In the event that the only available interpreter is not considered to possess adequate interpreting skills for the particular situation or the interpreter is not familiar with use of slang, the person charged or witness may be permitted by the court to nominate another person to act as intermediary between the person charged or witness and the appointed interpreter during the proceedings.

(a-1)

A qualified telephone interpreter may be sworn to interpret for the person in any criminal proceeding before a judge or magistrate if an interpreter is not available to appear in person at the proceeding or if the only available interpreter is not considered to possess adequate interpreting skills for the particular situation or is unfamiliar with the use of slang. In this subsection, “qualified telephone interpreter” means a telephone service that employs:

(1)

licensed court interpreters as defined by Section 157.001 (Definitions), Government Code; or

(2)

federally certified court interpreters.

(b)

Except as provided by Subsection (c) of this article, interpreters appointed under the terms of this article will receive from the general fund of the county for their services a sum not to exceed $100 a day as follows: interpreters shall be paid not less than $15 nor more than $100 a day at the discretion of the judge presiding, and when travel of the interpreter is involved all the actual expenses of travel, lodging, and meals incurred by the interpreter pertaining to the case the interpreter is appointed to serve shall be paid at the same rate applicable to state employees.

(c)

A county commissioners court may set a payment schedule and expend funds for the services of interpreters in excess of the daily amount of not less than $15 or more than $100 established by Subsection (b) of this article.
Acts 1965, 59th Leg., vol. 2, p. 317, ch. 722.
Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 453, ch. 209, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 27, 1979; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 700, Sec. 1, eff. June 16, 1991.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 956 (H.B. 1601), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 42 (S.B. 966), Sec. 2.01, eff. September 1, 2014.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1182 (S.B. 1139), Sec. 8.01, eff. September 1, 2015.

Source: Article 38.30 — Interpreter, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/CR/htm/CR.­38.­htm#38.­30 (accessed Apr. 20, 2024).

38.01
Texas Forensic Science Commission 38.02
Effect Under Public Information Law of Release of Certain Information 38.03
Presumption of Innocence 38.04
Jury Are Judges of Facts 38.05
Judge Shall Not Discuss Evidence 38.07
Testimony in Corroboration of Victim of Sexual Offense 38.08
Defendant May Testify 38.10
Exceptions to the Spousal Adverse Testimony Privilege 38.11
Journalist’s Qualified Testimonial Privilege in Criminal Proceedings 38.12
Religious Opinion 38.14
Testimony of Accomplice 38.15
Two Witnesses in Treason 38.16
Evidence in Treason 38.17
Two Witnesses Required 38.18
Perjury and Aggravated Perjury 38.19
Intent to Defraud: Certain Offenses 38.21
Statement 38.23
Evidence Not to Be Used 38.24
Statements Obtained by Investigative Hypnosis 38.25
Written Part of Instrument Controls 38.27
Evidence of Handwriting 38.30
Interpreter 38.31
Interpreters for Deaf Persons 38.32
Presumption of Death 38.34
Photographic Evidence in Theft Cases 38.35
Forensic Analysis of Evidence 38.36
Evidence in Prosecutions for Murder 38.38
Evidence Relating to Retaining Attorney 38.39
Evidence in an Aggregation Prosecution with Numerous Victims 38.40
Evidence of Pregnancy 38.43
Evidence Containing Biological Material 38.44
Admissibility of Electronically Preserved Document 38.45
Evidence Depicting or Describing Abuse of or Sexual Conduct by Child or Minor 38.46
Evidence in Prosecutions for Stalking 38.47
Evidence in Aggregation Prosecution for Fraud or Theft Committed with Respect to Numerous Medicaid or Medicare Recipients 38.48
Evidence in Prosecution for Tampering with Witness or Prospective Witness Involving Family Violence 38.49
Forfeiture by Wrongdoing 38.50
Retention and Preservation of Toxicological Evidence of Certain Intoxication Offenses 38.072
Hearsay Statement of Certain Abuse Victims 38.073
Testimony of Inmate Witnesses 38.075
Corroboration of Certain Testimony Required 38.076
Testimony of Forensic Analyst by Video Teleconference 38.101
Communications by Drug Abusers 38.141
Testimony of Undercover Peace Officer or Special Investigator 38.435
Prohibited Use of Evidence from Forensic Medical Examination Performed on Victim of Sexual Assault 38.451
Evidence Depicting Invasive Visual Recording of Child 38.471
Evidence in Prosecution for Exploitation of Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Individual
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Accessed:
Apr. 20, 2024

Art. 38.30’s source at texas​.gov