RULE 14.340. CONFIDENTIALITY AND RESTRICTION OF PUBLIC

COMMENT Interpreters shall protect the confidentiality of all privileged and other confidential information. Furthermore, 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.

Committee Notes The interpreter must protect and uphold the confidentiality of all privileged information obtained during the course of her or his duties. It is especially important that the interpreter understand and uphold the attorney-client privilege, which requires confidentiality with respect to any communication between attorney and client. This rule also applies to other types of privileged communications, except upon court order to the contrary. Interpreters must also refrain from repeating or disclosing information obtained by them in the course of their employment that may be relevant to the legal proceeding. In the event that an interpreter becomes aware of information that suggests imminent harm to someone or relates to a crime being committed during the course of the proceedings, the interpreter should immediately disclose the information to an appropriate authority within the judiciary who is not involved in the proceeding and seek advice in regard to the potential conflict in professional responsibility. An interpreter should never grant interviews to the media, make comments, or express personal opinions to any of the parties about any aspect of the case even after a verdict is rendered.