IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR PASCO AND PINELLAS COUNTIES, FLORIDA

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. PA/PI-CIR-96-61 S1796061

RE: INTERPRETERS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED
CODE OF ETHICS

It is the policy of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, upon reasonable notice, to secure the services of a qualified sign language interpreter(s) for those proceedings where it has been determined that an interpreter is required to ensure the effective participation in the proceedings by any party, witness, juror, or spectator who is hearing impaired; and

The quality of service provided by court interpreters helps ensure effective participation in the courts for individuals who are hearing impaired; and

In order to articulate a core set of principles and guidelines which clearly express the professional responsibilities for which the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court holds court interpreters accountable, it is hereby

ORDERED:

1. The attached Code of Professional Responsibility For Sign Language Interpreters, a model code of ethics promulgated by the State Justice Institute and National Center for State Courts, is hereby adopted by the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

2. All persons, agencies and organizations who administer, supervise use, or deliver interpreting services for the hearing impaired to the judiciary and court-adjunct programs of the Sixth Judicial Circuit shall comply with and be bound by the attached Code of Professional Responsibility.

3. All sign language interpreters providing interpreter services to the Sixth Judicial Circuit shall further uphold and adhere to all standards prescribed by law and the attached National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (NRID) Code of Ethics.

DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida this 28th day of June, 1996.

/s/Susan F. Schaeffer
Susan F. Schaeffer, Chief Judge

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
FOR SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS IN THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

CANON 1: ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS
Interpreters shall render a complete and accurate interpretation, without altering, omitting, or adding anything to what is stated or written, and without explanation.

CANON 2: REPRESENTATION OF QUALIFICATIONS
Interpreters shall accurately and completely represent their certifications, training and pertinent experience.

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.

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.

CANON 5: CONFIDENTIALITY
Interpreters shall protect the confidentiality of all privileged and other confidential information.

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.

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.

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.

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 transliteration.