011990

April 12, 1990

MEMORANDUM

TO: Summary Court Judges
FROM: Motte L. Talley, Staff Attorney
RE: Appointment and Payment of Interpreters for the Deaf

In order to insure that you are familiar with the procedures for the appointment and payment of an interpreter for a deaf individual who is a party to any legal proceeding, a witness in a legal proceeding, or confined to any institution, we are reiterating the information originally distributed in a memorandum dated July 3, 1987. S.C. Code Ann. Section 15-27-15 (Supp. 1989) provides for the appointment of a qualified interpreter to interpret the proceedings to and testimony of any deaf person who is a party to a legal proceeding, a witness in a legal proceeding, or confined to an institution. Payment for the interpreter's services is accomplished from funds appropriated to the Judicial Department and the Supreme Court has adopted procedures governing the payment of court appointed interpreters for the deaf.

The procedures require that a qualified interpreter, approved by the deaf person and either the South Carolina Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, be appointed by written order of the court making the appointment. A form order of appointment numbered SCCA/262 (6/87) is required. The Court has provided that a court appointed interpreter is entitled to $25.00 per hour with a minimum of two hours for interpreting services. When seeking payment for services, the court appointed interpreter must submit a voucher, numbered SCCA/263 (6/87) to Court Administration. The voucher must be approved by the appointing judge and accompanied by the order of appointment and time-sheets showing with specificity the hours involved. A copy of a time-sheet form numbered SCCA/264 (6/87) is also required.

The forms can be reproduced locally. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please do not hesitate to contact this office.