§ 2503.1 Interpreter for the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Privilege

Codes > Oklahoma Statutes > Title 12 > Chapter 40 : Article V > 2503.1

§ 2503.1. Interpreter for the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Privilege

    A. As used in this section:

        1. An “interpreter” is a qualified legal interpreter for the deaf or hard-of-hearing, as defined by Section 2408 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

        2. A “deaf or hard-of-hearing person” is a person whose sense of hearing is nonfunctional for the ordinary purposes of life; and

        3. A communication is “confidential” if made privately and not intended for further disclosure except to other persons present in furtherance of the purpose of the communication.

    B. A person has a privilege to refuse to disclose and to prevent an interpreter from disclosing such person's confidential communication made while such interpreter is acting in the capacity as an interpreter for persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

    C. The privilege may be claimed by the interpreter, by the deaf or hard-of-hearing person, by the guardian or conservator of the deaf or hard-of-hearing person, or by the personal representative of the deaf or hard-of-hearing person if the deaf or hard-of-hearing person is deceased.

    D. An interpreter who is employed to interpret, transliterate or relay a conversation between a person who can hear and a deaf or hard-of-hearing person is a conduit for the conversation and may not disclose or be compelled to disclose, through reporting or testimony or by subpoena, the contents of a confidential communication.

    E. There is no privilege pursuant to this section for communications:

        1. If the services of the interpreter were sought or obtained to enable or aid anyone to commit or plan to commit what the deaf or hard-of-hearing person knew, or reasonably should have known, to be a crime or fraud or physical injury to the deaf or hard-of-hearing person or another individual;

        2. In which the deaf or hard-of-hearing person has expressed an intent to engage in conduct likely to result in imminent death or serious bodily injury to the deaf or hard-of-hearing person or another individual;

        3. Relevant to an issue in a proceeding challenging the competency of the interpreter;

        4. Relevant to a breach of duty by the interpreter; or

        5. That are subject to a duty to disclose under statutory law.