Rule 1703: Kansas Code of Professional Responsibility for Court Interpreters

(a)   Applicability. An interpreter, other than a sign language interpreter, who provides an interpretation or translation service in a district court must comply with the Kansas code of professional responsibility for court interpreters.

(b)   Kansas Code of Professional Responsibility for Court Interpreters. The Kansas Code of professional responsibility for court interpreters is as follows:
 
Kansas Code of Professional Responsibility for Court Interpreters
 
CANON 1: ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS
 
An interpreter must render a complete and accurate interpretation or sight translation by reproducing in the target language the closest natural equivalent of the source language message without altering, omitting, or adding anything to what is stated or written, and without explanation.
 
CANON 2: REPRESENTATION OF QUALIFICATIONS
 
An interpreter must accurately and completely represent the interpreter’s certifications, training, and pertinent experience.
 
CANON 3: IMPARTIALITY AND AVOIDANCE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
 
An interpreter must be impartial and unbiased and must refrain from conduct that may give an appearance of bias. An interpreter must disclose any real or perceived conflict of interest.
 
CANON 4: CONFIDENTIALITY
 
An interpreter must protect the confidentiality of privileged and confidential information.
 
CANON 5: SCOPE OF PRACTICE
 
While serving as an interpreter, an interpreter must not give legal advice or express a personal opinion to the individual receiving the interpretation service or engage in any other activity that appears to constitute a service other than interpretation or sight translation.
 
CANON 6: RESTRICTION OF PUBLIC COMMENT
 
An interpreter must not publicly discuss, report, or offer an opinion concerning a court matter in which the interpreter has been engaged, even when that information is not privileged or required by law to be confidential.
 
CANON 7: ASSESSING AND REPORTING IMPEDIMENTS TO PERFORMANCE
 
An interpreter must constantly assess the interpreter’s professional ability. If an interpreter has any reservation about the interpreter’s ability to competently satisfy an assignment, the interpreter must immediately notify the court.
 
CANON 8: PROFESSIONAL DEMEANOR
 
An interpreter’s conduct must be professional, respectful, and as unobtrusive as possible.
 
CANON 9: DUTY TO REPORT ETHICAL VIOLATIONS
 
An interpreter must report to the proper judicial authority any effort to impede the interpreter’s compliance with any law, provision of this code, or other official policy governing court interpreting.
 
CANON 10: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
 
An interpreter must continually improve the interpreter’s skills and knowledge. An interpreter must advance the profession through activities such as professional training and education and interaction with colleagues and specialists in related fields.

[History: New rule effective July 1, 2016.]