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In civil proceedings in every Webb County court a hearing-impaired party or witness (or counsel) requests a sign-language interpreter or other auxiliary aid as early as possible by written motion or on the record, and the judge must then provide one; the court gives primary consideration to the person's choice of aid unless an equally effective alternative exists or the choice would fundamentally alter the proceeding or impose an undue burden; the clerk or a designated court employee secures certified or otherwise qualified interpreters (live or video remote interpreting, the latter to be highly considered for hearings though not always appropriate for jury trials) and keeps a roster; and payment comes from the district or county courts' judicial general accounts of the county budget.
Applies to hearing-impaired parties and witnesses in civil proceedings in every Webb County court (district courts, county courts at law, county court and justice courts); criminal cases in the district courts are covered by the separate March 19, 2014 policy. Not registered on TOPICs; posted by Webb County on its Local Rules pages, with a companion list of sign-language and video-interpreting providers. Procedural information only; not legal advice.
WEBB COUNTY SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR HEARING IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS IN CIVIL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS. This policy applies to hearing impaired individuals appearing in civil proceedings conducted in all Webb County Judicial Courts. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the policy of Webb County to provide reasonable accommodations to persons who are hearing impaired. It is understood that such civil proceedings are governed by Chapter 21, Subchapter A of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Rule 183 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Sec. 57.001 of the Gov't Code and Rule 604 of the Texas Rules of Evidence. Under Tex. R. Evid. 604, the Presiding Judge should ensure that each interpreter takes an oath to discharge properly the interpreter function, including accurately interpreting for the speakers in the proceeding and properly preparing for the assignment. Pursuant to CPRC §21.002, in civil cases, a deaf person who is a party or witness is entitled to have the proceedings interpreted by a court-appointed interpreter. Sign language interpreter services needed to assist parties to civil proceedings are the responsibility of the parties or their attorneys. Therefore, the hearing impaired individual or their attorney are responsible for asking for such service by notifying the court for the need for such service as soon as possible and in advance of any civil court proceedings. This request must be made by filing a formal written motion or on the record in open court. After a proper request for a sign language interpreter is made, a Judge must provide a sign language interpreter or other auxiliary aide services for a party or witness who is hearing-impaired in any civil judicial proceeding. Civil judicial proceedings include trials, hearings, ceremonies and other civil activities conducted by a Court, such as court sponsored alternative dispute resolution. The court will give primary consideration to a hearing impaired individual's choice of auxiliary aid or service unless it can show that another equally effective means of communication is available or that use of the means chosen would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of the court proceedings or an undue financial or administrative burden on Webb County. The clerk of the court or other court employee designated by the judge shall be responsible for securing the services of certified interpreters and/or otherwise qualified interpreters. In order to ensure that this policy is properly implemented, the clerk must be familiar with its court's policy of providing reasonable accommodations to hearing impaired individuals. The clerk must have a ready working knowledge of the types of auxiliary aids and services necessary for effective communication available to serve the needs of the hearing impaired persons and of the local sources from which auxiliary aids and services may be procured. Auxiliary aids and services include a "live" person, qualified or American Sign Language certified interpreter or one provided by a Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) language translation service. A qualified interpreter is an interpreter who is able to interpret effectively, accurately and impartially both receptively and expressively so that a party can fully participate and effectively communicate in the judicial proceedings to ensure a fair trial. Although VRI may not be appropriate in all circumstances, such as a jury trial, it is to be highly considered for hearings. Each court should maintain a roster of certified interpreters and otherwise qualified interpreters available to perform interpreting services. The clerk of the court or other court employee designated by the judge is responsible for locating certified or otherwise qualified interpreters for court proceedings. Payment for sign language interpreting services or other auxiliary aids should be from the Webb County Operating Budget applicable to the fiscal year at the time sign language interpreting services are rendered. For services rendered in District Court, the funding source is the Judicial General District County account. For services rendered in County Courts, the funding source is the Judicial General County Courts account of the Webb County Operating Budget. For all other courts, the Webb County Auditor will determine the funding source. Oscar J. Hale, Jr., 406th District Court Judge, Local Administrative Judge; Jose A. Lopez, 49th District Court Judge; Monica Z. Notzon, 111th District Court Judge; Beckie Palomo, 341st District Court Judge. COUNTY OF WEBB. ATTEST: Margie Ramirez Ibarra, Webb County Clerk. SIGNED on, and EFFECTIVE as of, this 4th day of June, 2014. [Certified a true and correct copy by the Webb County Clerk June 11, 2014.]
WEBB COUNTY SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR HEARING IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS IN CIVIL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS. This policy applies to hearing impaired individuals appearing in civil proceedings conducted in all Webb County Judicial Courts. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the policy of Webb County to pr
Reviewer note: Composed 2026-09-07 from BenchPath's own-site custody copy (three image-only pages read in full through the vision lane). Four signers, one no longer sitting, so no judge join. Posted twice on the county site (identical sha256); the companion one-page provider list (South Texas Interpreters for the Deaf, Visual Communication Services, Stratus Video Interpreting) is a roster, recorded not published.