N.M. Stat. § 38-10-8 (2026)

Every interpreter appointed pursuant to the provisions of the Court Interpreters Act, before entering upon his duties, shall take an oath that he will make a true and impartial interpretation or translation in an understandable manner using his best skills and judgment in accordance with the standards and ethics of the interpreter profession.

History: Laws 1985, ch. 209, § 8.

ANNOTATIONS

Mandatory non-English speaking juror guidelines. — In addition to administering the initial interpreter’s oath to correctly interpret testimony, the trial court must, prior to excusing the jury for deliberations, administer an oath on the record in the presence of the jury instructing the interpreter not to participate in the jury’s deliberations; the interpreter must be identified on the record by name and state whether he or she is certified, and whether he or she understands the instructions; the trial court must instruct the jury about the interpreter’s role during deliberations; after deliberations, but before the verdict is announced, the trial court must ask the interpreter on the record whether he or she abided by the oath not to participate in deliberations and the interpreter’s response must be made part of the record; at the request of any party the trial court must allow jurors to be questioned to the same effect; and the trial court must instruct the interpreter not to reveal any part of the jury deliberations until after the case is closed. State v. Pacheco, 2007-NMSC-009, 141 N.M. 340, 155 P.3d 745.