Court Interpreters Act applies equally to grand jury proceedings and trials

STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION United States v. Hasan, No. 06-5234, ___ F.3d ___ (10th Cir. May 20, 2008)(N.D. Oklahoma). Appeal of conviction for perjury before grand jury in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1623. HELD: Court Interpreters Act at 28 U.S.C. § 1827 applies with equal force to grand jury proceedings and trials. District court committed plain error by finding that defendant qualified for interpreter for trial, but not revisiting its earlier decision finding that defendant did not qualify for interpreter during grand jury proceeding. Read the opinion here.