IL · jury_instructions
Ill. Pattern Jury Instr. (Criminal) 3.23
Testimony through Interpreter
You [(are about to hear) (heard)] testimony from a witness who [(will be speaking)
(spoke)] in the _____________ language. Witnesses who do not speak English or are more
proficient in another language testify through an official court interpreter. You must not make
any assumptions about a witness or party based solely on the fact that an interpreter was used.
You should give this testimony the same consideration you would give it had the witness himself
testified in English.
Although some of you may know the ____________language, it is important that all
jurors consider the same evidence. Therefore, you must accept and rely only on the English
interpretation of this testimony. Disregard any perceived different meaning. Do not comment to
fellow jurors on what you heard in the _________________ language. Do not reinterpret for
other jurors testimony that has been interpreted by the court interpreter because that would be
providing information not admitted in court.
Provenance
- Source
- illinoiscourts.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-08-20
- Edition
- 2026-08-19
- Content hash
4f4c7ed0165f7aa1e5a75b52a0ecc1733d877d290e0680bc640dc7a47e4a3854
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