Wash. Rev. Code » Title 2 · Chapter 2.42
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 2.42.120 (2026)

Appointment of interpreter—Responsibility for compensation—Reimbursement

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) If a hearing impaired person is a party or witness at any stage of a judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding in the state or in a political subdivision, including but not limited to civil and criminal court proceedings, grand jury proceedings, proceedings before a magistrate, juvenile proceedings, adoption proceedings, mental health commitment proceedings, and any proceeding in which a hearing impaired person may be subject to confinement or criminal sanction, the appointing authority shall appoint and pay for a qualified interpreter to interpret the proceedings.
(2) If the parent, guardian, or custodian of a juvenile brought before a court is hearing impaired, the appointing authority shall appoint and pay for a qualified interpreter to interpret the proceedings.
(3) Where it is the policy and practice of a court of this state or of a political subdivision to appoint and pay counsel for persons who are indigent, the appointing authority shall appoint and pay for a qualified interpreter for hearing impaired persons to facilitate communication with counsel in all phases of the preparation and presentation of the case.
(4) Subject to the availability of funds specifically appropriated therefor, the administrative office of the courts shall reimburse the appointing authority for up to one-half of the payment to the interpreter where a qualified interpreter is appointed for a hearing impaired person by a judicial officer in a proceeding before a court under subsection (1) or (2) of this section in compliance with the provisions of RCW 2.42.130 and 2.42.170.
[ 2025 c 55 s 15; 2008 c 291 s 2; 1985 c 389 s 12.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9 cases, 1993–2017 · leading case: Patrice v. Murphy, 966 P.2d 1271 (Wash. 1998).
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Patrice v. Murphy, 966 P.2d 1271 (Wash. 1998). · cites it 20× “60: Whereas RCW 2.42.120, pertaining to “Interpreters in Legal Proceedings” involving the hearing impaired, was added by way of House amendment to Senate Bill No.”
Patrice v. Murphy, 966 P.2d 1271 (Wash. 1998). · cites it 20× “60: Whereas RCW 2.42.120, pertaining to "Interpreters in Legal Proceedings" involving the hearing impaired, was added by way of House amendment to Senate Bill No.”
Matter of Marriage of Olson, 850 P.2d 527 (Wash. Ct. App. 1993). “RCW 2.42.120(1) provides that: (1) If a hearing impaired person is a party or witness at any stage of a judicial.”
Patrice v. Murphy, 43 F. Supp. 2d 1156 (W.D. Wash. 1999). · cites it 2× “§ 12132 ; (2) violation of RCW 2.42.120; (3) violation of the Washington Law Against Discrimination “WLAD”, RCW 49.”
State v. Marintorres, 969 P.2d 501 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). “” In fact, RCW 2.42.120(1) provides that in a criminal case involving a hearing-impaired defendant, the court “shall appoint and pay for a qualified interpreter.”
Hunter v. Ferebauer, 980 F. Supp. 2d 1251 (E.D. Wash. 2013). “1983) (guardians ad litem); RCW 2.42.120 (interpreters); RCW 64.55.120 (mediators); Sutton v.”
State v. Harris, 985 P.2d 417 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 8× “” 5 RCW 2.42.120 was passed as a section of chapter 389, Laws of 1985, the title of which reads: COURT COSTS—COLLECTION AND REMITTANCE AN ACT Relating to court costs; amending RCW 10.”
Christoper T. Duvall v. Cnty. Of Kitsap, 260 F.3d 1124 (9th Cir. 2001). “" RCW 2.42.120; 2.42.110; see also Washington Court General Rule 11 (providing for use of qualified interpreters in judicial proceedings involving hearing impaired individuals).”
In re the Marriage of: Tina Louise Meyette & Dan Michael Meyette (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “Meyette contends the trial court violated RCW 2.42.120(1) and her right to due process by not appointing an interpreter to assist her.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 2.42.120(1): 3 cases
Matter of Marriage of Olson, 850 P.2d 527 (Wash. Ct. App. 1993). “RCW 2.42.120(1) provides that: (1) If a hearing impaired person is a party or witness at any stage of a judicial.”
State v. Marintorres, 969 P.2d 501 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). “” In fact, RCW 2.42.120(1) provides that in a criminal case involving a hearing-impaired defendant, the court “shall appoint and pay for a qualified interpreter.”
In re the Marriage of: Tina Louise Meyette & Dan Michael Meyette (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). “Meyette contends the trial court violated RCW 2.42.120(1) and her right to due process by not appointing an interpreter to assist her.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 2.42.120(3): 1 case
State v. Harris, 985 P.2d 417 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). “” 5 RCW 2.42.120 was passed as a section of chapter 389, Laws of 1985, the title of which reads: COURT COSTS—COLLECTION AND REMITTANCE AN ACT Relating to court costs; amending RCW 10.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 2.42.120(4): 1 case
State v. Harris, 985 P.2d 417 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). “” 5 RCW 2.42.120 was passed as a section of chapter 389, Laws of 1985, the title of which reads: COURT COSTS—COLLECTION AND REMITTANCE AN ACT Relating to court costs; amending RCW 10.”
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