Slide 1
Module 2: Ethics for
Court Interpreters
Lesson 1: Introduction
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Slide 2
• All the information provided in these short lessons is publicly
available and provides a simplified view of Criminal and Civil
Procedures in the State of Ohio for participants to gain a basic
understanding.
• Remember: Procedures vary across jurisdictions so it is
important to always check the steps in the process in the
jurisdiction you are working.
• This information is NOT intended to be construed as legal
advice.
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 3
Model Code of Professional Responsibility
The discussion contained in this presentation is based on the
Model Code for Professional Responsibility for Interpreters
in the Judiciary published by the National Center for State
Courts (1995).
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 4
CANON 1 ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS
Interpreters shall render a complete and accurate
interpretation or sight translation, without altering,
omitting, or adding anything to what is stated or written,
and without explanation.
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 5
CANON 2 REPRESENTATION OF QUALIFICATIONS
Interpreters shall accurately and completely represent their
certifications, training, and pertinent experience.
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 6
SKILLS
&
KNOWLEDGE
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Slide 7
PORTFOLIO
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 8
CANON 3 IMPARTIALITY AND AVOIDANCE
OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Interpreters shall be impartial and unbiased and shall refrain from
conduct that may give an appearance of bias. Interpreters shall
disclose any real or perceived conflict of interest.
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 9
impartiality | imˌpärSHēˈalədē |
noun
equal treatment of all rivals or disputants;
fairness.
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 10
bias | ˈbīəs |
noun
1 prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group
compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair:
there was evidence of bias against foreign applicants | the bias
toward younger people in recruitment | [in singular] : a systematic
bias in favor of the powerful.
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 11
Conflict of Interest
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 12
CANON 3 IMPARTIALITY AND AVOIDANCE
OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Interpreters shall be impartial and unbiased and shall refrain from
conduct that may give an appearance of bias. Interpreters shall
disclose any real or perceived conflict of interest.
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 13
CANON 4 PROFESSIONAL DEMEANOR
Interpreters shall conduct themselves in a manner
consistent with the dignity of the court and shall be as
unobtrusive as possible.
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 14
CANON 5 CONFIDENTIALITY
Interpreters shall protect the confidentiality of all privileged
and other confidential information.
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 15
CANON 6 RESTRICTION OF PUBLIC
COMMENT
Interpreters shall not publicly discuss, report, or offer an
opinion concerning a matter in which they are or have been
engaged, even when that information is not privileged or
required by law to be confidential.
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 16
RESTRICTION
OF PUBLIC
COMMENT
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 17
CANON 7 SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Interpreters shall limit themselves to interpreting or translating, and
shall not give legal advice, express personal opinions to individuals
for whom they are interpreting, or engage in any other activities
which may be construed to constitute a service other than
interpreting or translating while serving as an interpreter.
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 18
CANON 8 ASSESSING AND REPORTING
IMPEDIMENTS TO PERFORMANCE
Interpreters shall assess at all times their ability to deliver their
services. When interpreters have any reservation about their ability
to satisfy an assignment competently, they shall immediately convey
that reservation to the appropriate judicial authority.
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 19
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 20
CANON 9 DUTY TO REPORT ETHICAL
VIOLATIONS
Interpreters shall report to the proper judicial authority any
effort to impede their compliance with any law, any
provision of this code, or any other official policy governing
court interpreting and legal translating.
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 21
CANON 10 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Interpreters shall continually improve their skills and
knowledge and advance the profession through activities
such as professional training and education, and interaction
with colleagues and specialists in related fields.
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 22
Professional Development
A. Increase and improve your interpreting knowledge and skills.
A. Training
B. Continuing education
C. Skill-building
B. Support and encourage colleagues.
C. Network with your colleagues.
D. Exchange “notes.”
E. Seek out mentors.
The Supreme Court of Ohio | Language Services Program
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Slide 23
Introduction
Learning activities
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