WEST VIRGINIA CODE











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WVC 5-14A-4

§5-14A-4. Arrests -- Appointment of an interpreter.

(a) In the event a person who is deaf is arrested and taken

into custody for any alleged violation of a criminal law of this

state, the arresting officer or his or her superiors shall procure

a qualified interpreter in order to interrogate properly such deaf

person and to interpret such person's statements. No statement

taken from the deaf person before an interpreter is present may be

admissible in court.

(b) An oral interpreter shall be provided upon the request of

a deaf person entitled to an interpreter under this article, but

who does not communicate in sign language. The right of a deaf

person to an interpreter may not be waived except by a deaf person

who does not use sign language and who initiates the request for

waiver in writing. The waiver is subject to approval of legal

counsel for the deaf person, if any, and is subject to approval of

the appointing authority.





Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2015 Regular Session

The WV Code Online is an unofficial copy of the annotated WV Code, provided as a convenience. It has NOT been edited for publication, and is not in any way official or authoritative.