All intepreters holding the PLLI and PLCI status must reaffirm their commitment to the following items annually. Visit your account on Linguist Services to review your status.

• INTERPRETERS SHALL INTERPRET ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING SAID ON THE RECORD IN COURT, by any person, including slang, vulgarisms, profanity, colloquialisms, and idiomatic expressions. Also, do not summarize, edit, and/or add to the rendition. Finally, maintain the level of language, and always use the 1st person when interpreting for the subject.
• INTERPRETERS SHALL FOLLOW ORDERS FROM THE COURT. ONLY THE COURT may relieve you from your duty to interpret. Make an announcement on the record to ascertain that your services are no longer needed before being dismissed by the court.
• INTERPRETERS SHALL ONLY SPEAK WITH SUBJECTS WHEN NECESSARY. Never engage in any conversation whatsoever, with a defendant or witness, in or out of the courtroom, except to allow you to prepare yourself for the appearance. Avoid any unnecessary conversation with counsel, the parties to the action, witnesses, jurors, etc.
• INTERPRETERS SHALL NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. All legal questions MUST be referred to the attorney or to the court. No opinions should be offered or given, if requested.
• INTERPRETERS SHALL NOT BREAK CONFIDENTIALITY. Communications between counsel and client are not to be disclosed during or after proceedings are over.
• INTERPRETERS SHALL REMAIN IMPARTIAL. Make the court aware if you know any of the parties involved and whether you feel this would prevent you from interpreting fairly and impartially.
• INTERPRETERS SHALL NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF DOCUMENTS AND FORMS. Do not give details or explain any forms. Limit your task to sight translating or merely reading a document.
• INTERPRETERS SHALL MAKE NO COMMENTS TO THE MEDIA REGARDING ANY CASE. You should refer any requested information to the Court Interpreter Center.
• INTERPRETERS SHALL MAKE NO LEADING OR MISLEADING GESTURES. This applies both when interpreting for the defendant and for witnesses. Do not attempt to imitate anybody’s gestures or hand movements when interpreting, and do not make gestures that may suggest the way a witness should answer a question (e.g., nodding). However, you should try to imitate the tone of voice.
• INTERPRETERS SHALL INFORM THE COURT THEY ARE UNABLE TO INTERPRET A WORD, EXPRESSION, OR SPECIAL TERMINOLOGY. Inform the court of any errors and/or unfamiliar terms while rendering your interpretation. Also, inform the court if you are able to effectively communicate with the subject, and whether a term used by the subject needs further clarification.