Art. 192.1.Interpreters For Deaf and Severely Hearing-Impaired Persons
Title I. Courts · Chapter 4. Power and Authority · Last amended 1995 · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 192.1 requires a Louisiana court to appoint a qualified interpreter, sworn to interpret truly, whenever a party or witness in a civil case or deposition is deaf or severely hearing-impaired, and directs that the interpreter’s pay and travel costs be borne by the court.
A. In all civil cases and in the taking of any deposition where a party or a witness is a deaf or severely hearing-impaired person, the proceedings of the trial shall be interpreted to him in a language that he can understand by a qualified interpreter appointed by the court. The qualification of an interpreter as an expert is governed by the Louisiana Code of Evidence.
B. In any case in which an interpreter is required to be appointed by the court under the provisions of this Article, the court shall not commence proceedings until the appointed interpreter is in court. The interpreter so appointed shall take an oath or affirmation that he will make a true interpretation to the deaf or severely hearing-impaired person of all the proceedings of the case in a language that he understands, and that he will repeat the deaf or severely hearing-impaired person's answer to questions to counsel, court or jury to the best of his skill and judgment.
C.
(1)Interpreters appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Article shall be paid an amount determined by the judge presiding. In the event travel of the interpreter is necessary, all of the actual expenses of travel, lodging, and meals incurred by the interpreter in connection with the case at which the interpreter is appointed to serve shall be paid at the same rate applicable to state employees.
(2)The costs of such interpreter shall be borne by the court.
Article 192.1 addresses a specific and recurring need: making sure a deaf or severely hearing-impaired party or witness can follow, and take part in, a civil proceeding or deposition. Paragraph A requires the court to appoint a qualified interpreter to interpret the proceedings into a language the person understands, with the interpreter’s qualification as an expert governed by the Code of Evidence.
Paragraph B adds two safeguards. First, the court cannot begin the proceeding until the appointed interpreter is present — the requirement is not satisfied by scheduling one for later. Second, the interpreter must take an oath or affirmation to interpret truly everything said in the case and to relay the deaf or hearing-impaired person’s answers back to counsel, the court, or the jury to the best of the interpreter’s skill and judgment.
Paragraph C answers who pays. The judge sets the interpreter’s pay, travel expenses are reimbursed at the rate applicable to state employees, and the costs of the interpreter are borne by the court rather than billed to either party. That funding structure distinguishes this article from the general expert-witness cost rule in Article 192, and it reflects that access to an interpreter is treated as a cost of running the court, not a litigation expense either side must front.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers the court’s duty to appoint an interpreter under Article 192.1?
Any civil case or deposition in which a party or witness is a deaf or severely hearing-impaired person triggers the requirement. The court must appoint a qualified interpreter for that person.
Can a hearing start before the interpreter arrives?
No. Article 192.1(B) requires the court to wait until the appointed interpreter is present before beginning the proceeding.
Does the interpreter have to take an oath?
Yes. The interpreter must swear or affirm to interpret the proceedings truly to the deaf or severely hearing-impaired person and to relay that person’s answers to the best of the interpreter’s skill and judgment.
Who pays for the interpreter appointed under this article?
The court does. Article 192.1(C) has the judge set the interpreter’s pay, reimburses travel expenses at the state employee rate, and places the cost of the interpreter on the court rather than on either party.
How is this different from Article 192.2?
Article 192.1 covers interpreters for deaf and severely hearing-impaired persons specifically. Article 192.2 covers a different situation — interpreters for people who do not speak English — and uses a request-based trigger rather than an automatic one.
Source & verification. Article text is reproduced verbatim from
the vLex (Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, 2026 Edition). Enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
Last verified July 30, 2026.
· Official source
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