RIGHT TO TRANSLATION

In all case procedures, whether verbal, such as interviews with witnesses, or written, such as letters notifying participants to attend the trial, the language used is Portuguese.

When a victim doesn’t speak Portuguese and must participate in any procedure, they are entitled, upon request to the authority responsible for the procedure in question, to an interpreter who speaks both the Portuguese language and the language spoken by the victim. For example, if the victim is Russian and does not speak Portuguese, an interpreter will be appointed to translate into Portuguese what the victim says, and to translate into Russian or another language which the victim understands what is said or asked in Portuguese.

If a victim is participating in the proceedings as a civil party or as an assistant, they are also entitled to receive translations in a language they understand of all the information in the case that is essential to the exercise of their rights, such as the judgment.

If a victim is deaf or hard of hearing, a sign language interpreter will be appointed. If the victim is dumb, the questions are asked orally, and the victim responds in writing.

The role of the interpreter in all these situations is very important to ensure that victims understand what is conveyed to them and enable them to participate actively in the criminal proceedings.
The appointment of an interpreter does not involve any cost for the participants.