Predicament With a Teammate - Appearance of Bias

  • 05/11/2023 19:54
    Quote
    Message # 13200334
    Ethics Panel (Administrator)

    During a bench trial, my fellow team interpreter repeatedly chatted in a language other than English with the defendant, often in the presence of the monolingual attorney and court staff, without interpreting the content of these conversations. The interpreter also engaged the defendant in conversation in the hallway, outside the presence of attorney and staff.

    While the content of these interpreter-defendant “chats,” from what I could discern, did not include any reference whatsoever to the facts of the case, I found myself feeling increasingly uncomfortable with each of their interactions. Clearly, this violates in a number of ways our professional ethics and standards of practice. I decided, however, to say nothing to anyone. I rationalized that counsel and court staff were witnessing what was going on too and, at the end of the day, I just don’t feel comfortable in the role of interpreter ethics enforcement squad- that’s not my job! 

    My question: What would you have done, either during the assignment or afterwards? 
  • 05/11/2023 20:08
    Quote
    Reply # 13200338 on 13200334
    Ethics Panel (Administrator)

    The Ethics Panel empathizes with your predicament. No one wants to be in the position of policing a colleague. That said, it’s important to keep in mind that the conduct of a colleague–particularly a teammate–may call into question the integrity of the team and reflect badly on the profession. The interpreter you describe is violating GR 11.2(4) (See GR 11.2, Impartiality and Neutrality), which states explicitly that “[Interpreters] must refrain from conduct that may give an appearance of bias . . . “ (italics added).


    Should you decide to bring up the issue yourself–which is permissible, though not required–it may be helpful to have a clear understanding of the importance of avoiding any appearance of bias, so that you can better explain it to your colleague (See Standards of Practice, Perceived Conflict of Interest (Appearance of Bias)). Indeed, addressing a colleague’s errors, be they in interpretation or conduct, requires great tact and professionalism (See Standards of Practice, Errors by Colleagues). You might consider saying something like, “I’m concerned that your conversation with the defendant may make our team look biased” or “I know you may be talking about the weather, but other people don’t know that and may assume otherwise.”


    A case from 1996 provides an instructive example of the possible outcome of a conversation that initially may have seemed harmless. In that case, the defendant engaged the interpreter in conversation. He told the interpreter about his and the co-defendant’s involvement in the case. The results were as follows: 

    1. The judge considered declaring a mistrial.

    2. The interpreter was almost called as a witness in the case.

    3. The interpreter was replaced for the remainder of the trial.

    4. The attorney stated emphatically on the record that no interpreter was to have any conversation with his client out of the presence of the attorney.

    (See KCOIS letter of April 2, 1996)


    While the behavior you describe may not rise to that level, conversation with the defendant opens the door to unforeseen consequences, as well as creating the appearance of bias.



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