HEARING IMPAIRED JURORS

TRANSLATORS

A person called for jury duty who is hearing impaired may appear with his or her own translator.  The court has the discretion to permit a translator to assist a hearing disabled juror during a trial and jury deliberations, if the translator has been determined competent by the court.

Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 234A, Section 69: A translator may assist a deaf juror during the orientation program, the jurors' welcome, and the judicial discretion hearing. As a matter of discretion, the court may permit a translator to assist a deaf juror during the trial after a determination of the competency of the translator. In the presence of the jury, the court shall instruct the translator to make true, literal, and complete translations to all testimony and other relevant colloquy to the deaf juror to the best of his ability. The court may permit a translator to be present and assist a deaf juror during the deliberations of the jury. In the presence of the jury, the court shall instruct the translator to refrain from participating in any manner in the deliberations of the jury and to refrain from having any communications, oral or visual with any member of the jury regarding the deliberations of the jury except for the literal translations of jurors' remarks made during deliberations. The verdict of the jury shall be valid notwithstanding the presence of the translator during deliberations.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES

The court can and will arrange to provide FM assistive listening devices which provide amplified sound through earphones to those jurors who know they will benefit therefrom.  If such a device will help you, then complete Section F on the Juror Confirmation Form by placing an "X" in the blue box. If you have already mailed in your form and did not indicate you need such a device, write to us at:

OFFICE OF JURY COMMISSIONER,
560 HARRISON AVENUE, SUITE 600,
BOSTON, MA. 02118-2447

OBTAINING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you have a TTY device, please contact us at 1-800-328-3202 (If you do not have a TTY device, you will not be able to get through on this number).

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