Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Magistrates' Court Act 1989 - SECT 40

Interpreter

40. Interpreter

If-

   (a)  a defendant is charged with an offence punishable by imprisonment; and

   (b)  the Court is satisfied that the defendant does not have a knowledge of
        the English language that is sufficient to enable the defendant to
        understand, or participate in, the proceedings-

the Court must not hear and determine the proceeding without a competent
interpreter interpreting it.