§ 21.005.Oath

Two oaths, and the second exists because of the deaf juror.

The general oath binds the interpreter to make a true interpretation to the deaf person of all the case proceedings in a language the deaf person understands, and to repeat the deaf person's answers to counsel, court, or jury in the English language, using the interpreter's best skill and judgment.

Note that it runs in both directions — proceedings in, answers out — and that the standard is a true interpretation of all the proceedings, not a summary of the important parts.

The juror oath adds three prohibitions, and they define the interpreter's presence in the jury room. The interpreter will not: participate in any manner in the deliberations; communicate with any member of the jury regarding the deliberation, except a literal translation of a juror's remarks made during deliberations; or disclose any of the deliberations with any person following a verdict.

The exception in the second prohibition is the whole design. The interpreter is a channel and nothing else. Literal translation is permitted; every other communication with a juror is not.

The third prohibition extends the secrecy of jury deliberations to a person who is in the room but not on the jury, and it binds after the verdict as jurors themselves are protected.