Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts

Rule 28: Interpreters.

The court may appoint an interpreter pursuant to section 3 of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 42. Reasonable costs associated with an interpreter's services may be assessed against the indigent defense fund pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 13 if the party is indigent and is involved in a proceeding in which he or she has a statutory or constitutional right to appointed counsel. In all other proceedings the court may fix the reasonable compensation of an interpreter, and such compensation shall be taxed as costs.

Advisory Commission Comment [2006].

This revised rule distinguishes between indigent and other litigants. It also cross-references the procedure judges should follow in selecting interpreters pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 42.