8-1401.Language interpreter.

Article VIII. Evidence · Part 14. Interpreters · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026

In one sentenceAuthorizes an Illinois court to swear an interpreter to interpret truly whenever a proceeding calls for one, the general oath rule the later interpreter sections build on.

Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/8-1401

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Interpreters may be sworn truly to interpret, when necessary.

Plain-English Summary

This is the shortest and oldest provision in Part 14, and it sets the baseline: when an interpreter is needed, the court may put that person under oath to interpret truly. It doesn't say who qualifies as an interpreter, how one gets appointed, or what happens if the interpretation later proves wrong — those questions are answered by the sections that follow it.

Section 8-1402 fills in a mandatory appointment duty for deaf parties, jurors, and witnesses, and Section 8-1403 sets out the procedure and standards for civil cases generally, tied to the Illinois Supreme Court's Language Access Policy. Read together, this section supplies the oath requirement that runs through all of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for an interpreter to be "sworn truly to interpret"?

It means the interpreter takes an oath to render the proceedings and testimony accurately, the same kind of accountability imposed on other sworn witnesses and court officers.

Does this section explain who qualifies as an interpreter?

No. Qualification and appointment procedures are addressed by later sections — Section 8-1403 for civil cases generally and Section 8-1402 for deaf parties, jurors, and witnesses.

When is an interpreter appointed under this section?

The text says only "when necessary," without further detail on the triggering circumstances.

Does this section apply only to civil proceedings?

The section itself isn't limited to civil cases, and Section 8-2401 extends Article VIII's evidence provisions to criminal cases as well, unless a provision states otherwise.

Why does the statute require an oath at all?

To hold the interpreter to the same standard of accountability as any other sworn witness, since the accuracy of interpreted testimony affects everyone relying on it.

Amendment History

(Source: P.A. 82-280.)

Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026. · Official source

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