At the request of a juror who is deaf or hard of hearing or the judicial authority, an interpreter or interpreters provided by the Judicial Branch and qualified under General Statutes § 17a-838 shall assist such juror during the juror orientation program and all subsequent proceedings, and when the jury assembles for deliberation.
Section 16-1.Jurors Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis section entitles a juror who is deaf or hard of hearing, or the judicial authority, to request a qualified interpreter provided by the Judicial Branch to assist that juror through orientation, trial proceedings, and deliberations.
Full Text of Section 16-1
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 303A.) (Amended June 15, 2018, to take effect Jan. 1, 2019.)
Plain-English Summary
When a juror who is deaf or hard of hearing needs an interpreter, or when the judicial authority calls for one, the Judicial Branch provides an interpreter or interpreters qualified under General Statutes § 17a-838. That assistance is not limited to the courtroom: it covers the juror orientation program, all subsequent proceedings, and the time when the jury assembles for deliberation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides an interpreter for a deaf or hard-of-hearing juror in Connecticut?
The Judicial Branch provides the interpreter or interpreters, who must be qualified under General Statutes § 17a-838.
Does the interpreter accommodation cover jury deliberations?
Yes. Section 16-1 extends the interpreter’s assistance to when the jury assembles for deliberation, not just to trial testimony.
Who can request the interpreter under Section 16-1?
Either the juror who is deaf or hard of hearing, or the judicial authority, may request the interpreter.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 16-1). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: deaf juror accommodation CThard of hearing juror interpreter ConnecticutJudicial Branch juror interpreter rulesign language interpreter for jurors