Terms Used In Maryland Code, CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 1-202

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
(a) (1) The court shall appoint a qualified interpreter to help a defendant in a criminal proceeding throughout any criminal proceeding when the defendant:

(i) is deaf; or

(ii) cannot readily understand or communicate the English language and cannot understand a charge made against the defendant or help present the defense.

(2) On application of a victim or victim’s representative, as defined in § 11-104(a) of this article, the court shall appoint a qualified interpreter to help the victim or the victim’s representative throughout any criminal proceeding when the victim or the victim’s representative:

(i) is deaf; or

(ii) cannot readily understand or communicate the English language.

(b) The court shall give an interpreter appointed under this section:

(1) compensation for services in an amount equal to that provided for interpreters of languages other than English; and

(2) reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of services.