A. In the event a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing is arrested and taken into custody for any alleged violation of a criminal law of this state or for civil contempt, a qualified legal interpreter shall be obtained through any interpreter service agency providing qualified legal interpreting services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing or with individuals who meet the qualifications for a qualified legal interpreter in order to communicate to the person that person’s legal rights and to interview and interrogate properly. No statement taken from such deaf or hard-of-hearing person before a qualified legal interpreter is present shall be admissible in court. The individual who is deaf or hard-of-hearing shall determine which type of qualified legal interpreter best fits the needs of the individual.
B. The provisions of this section shall be construed in conjunction with Sections 1 through 10 of Senate Bill No. 779 of the 1st Session of the 50th Oklahoma Legislature, if that bill is enacted.
Added by Laws 1982, c. 290, § 4. Amended by Laws 2005, c. 395, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2005.