MINNESOTA COURT RULES

PROFESSIONAL RULES

Code of Professional Responsibility forInterpreters in the Minnesota State Court System

Canon 5.Confidentiality

Interpreters shall protect the confidentiality of all privileged and other confidential information.

(Added effective January 1, 1996.)

Commentary

Interpreters must protect and uphold the confidentiality of all privileged information obtained during the course of their duties. It is especially important that the interpreter understand and uphold the attorney-client privilege that requires confidentiality with respect to any communication between attorney and client. This rule also applies to other types of privileged communications.

Interpreters must also refrain from repeating or disclosing information obtained by them in the course of their employment that may be relevant to the legal proceeding.

In the event that an interpreter becomes aware of information that indicates probable imminent harm to someone or relates to a crime being committed during the course of the proceedings, the interpreter should immediately disclose the information to the presiding judge. If the judge is not available, the interpreter should disclose the information to an appropriate authority in the judiciary.