Nevada Revised Statutes Section 50.054 - Witnesses and Evidence

Interpreters for persons who do not speak English: Eligibility; oath; rights and privileges. [Effective July 1, 2005.]

1. Except as otherwise provided by a regulation of the court administrator adopted pursuant to NRS 1.510 and 1.520, a person shall not act as an interpreter in a proceeding if he is:

(a) The spouse of a witness;

(b) Otherwise related to a witness;

(c) Biased for or against one of the parties; or

(d) Otherwise interested in the outcome of the proceeding.

2. Before undertaking his duties, the interpreter shall swear or affirm that he will:

(a) To the best of his ability, translate accurately to the witness, in the language of the witness, questions and statements addressed to the witness;

(b) Make a true interpretation of the statements of the witness in an understandable manner; and

(c) Repeat the statements of the witness in the English language to the best of his ability.

3. While in the proper performance of his duties, an interpreter has the same rights and privileges as the witness, including the right to examine all relevant material, but is not entitled to waive or exercise any of those rights or privileges on behalf of the witness.

4. As used in this section, “interpreter” means a person who is readily able to communicate with a person who speaks a language other than English and does not know the English language, translate the proceedings for him and accurately repeat and translate the statements of the person in a language other than English to the court, magistrate or other person presiding. The term does not include an interpreter for a person with a disability as that term is defined in NRS 50.050.

Last modified: February 26, 2006