In the described courtroom staffing, who sits at the table with the lawyer and the defendant?

• A. Deaf interpreter sits at the table
• B. Personal hearing interpreter sits at the table
• C. Hearing interpreter sits at the table
• D. No interpreter sits at the table

Answer: (B)

In courtroom practice for Deaf or hard-of-hearing defendants, a personal hearing interpreter sits at the defense table with the lawyer and the defendant. This interpreter is assigned to the defendant to ensure direct, accurate communication with the attorney and the court, interpreting all questions, statements, and responses in real time. Having a personal interpreter helps the defendant understand proceedings and participate in their defense, while maintaining confidentiality and attorney-client privilege. A Deaf interpreter is used in different contexts to render communication for Deaf individuals, and a hearing interpreter serves broader courtroom needs, but they aren’t specifically designated to sit at the defense table with the defendant. So the person sitting at the table is the personal hearing interpreter.