INTERPRETER. One employed to make a translation. (q v.)

2. An interpreter should be sworn before he translates the testimony¹ of a witness. 4 Mass. 81; 5 Mass. 219; 2 Caines' Rep. 155.

3. A person employed between an attorney and client to act as interpreter, is considered merely as the organ between them, and is not bound to testify as to what be has acquired in those confidential² communications. 1 Pet. C. C. R.. 356; 4 Munf. R. 273; 1 Wend. R. 337. Vide Confidential Communications.

INTERREGNUM, polit. law. In an established government, the period which elapses between the death of a sovereign and the election of another is called interregnum. It is also understood for the vacancy³ created in the executive power, and for any vacancy which occurs when there is no government.

INTERROGATOIRE, French law. An act, or instrument, which contains the interrogatories made by the judge to the person accused, on the facts which are the object of the accasation, and the answers of the accused. Poth. Proc. Crim. s. 4, art. 2, 1. Vide Information.

INTERROGATORIES. Material and pertinent⁴ questions, in writing, to necessary points, not confessed, exhibited for the examination of witnesses or persons who are to give testimony in the cause.

2. They are either original and direct on the part, of him who produces the witnesses, or cross and counter, on behalf of the adverse⁵ party, to examine witnesses produced on the other side. Either party, plaintiff or defendant⁶, may exhibit original or cross interrogatories.

3. The form which interrogatories assume, is as various as the minds of the persons who propound⁷ them. They should be as distinct as possible, and capable of a definite answer; and they should leave no loop-holes for evasion⁸ to an unwilling⁹ witness. Care must be observed to put no leading questions in original interrogatories, for these always lead to inconvenience; and for scandal or impertinence, interrogatories will, under certain Circumstances, be suppressed. Vide Will. on Interrogatories, passim; Gresl. Ea. Ev pt. 1, c. 3, s. 1; Vin. Ab. h. t.; Hind's Pr. 317; 4 Bouv. Inst. n. 4419, et seq.