Interpreting with the Complexity of the Legal System: What Can We Do?

This webinar is 0.2 CEUs in the category of Professional Studies (PS) and Legal and is presented at the Some Knowledge level. 

The webinar explores the legal challenges faced by Deaf and hard of hearing individuals in terms of their inability to understand legal terminology in both written text and ASL interpretations. Signs and concepts for legal terms, including the Miranda warning (also known as the Miranda Rights), can be translated in various ways by sign language interpreters and certified Deaf interpreters but different translated versions may not protect Deaf and hard of hearing individuals from self-incrimination or their constitutional rights. This session will also present a few examples of cases that were a result of erroneous translations, misinterpretations and miscommunication due to, among other factors, the lack of standardized interpretations for legal terminology. With the complexity of the legal system, topics include the interpreter’s role, responsibilities and accountability for Deaf persons in disadvantaged situations in police custody, police interview and during custodial interrogation, potential subpoenas or challenged in court for accuracy of interpretations, and best practices for providing ASL interpretation in legal settings will be discussed. 

Target Audience: Deaf and hard of hearing advocates, attorneys, legal representatives, DI/CDI, ITP students, Legal and non-legal ASL Interpreters. 

Requests for reasonable accommodations can be made by emailing webinars@rid.org

Refund and Cancellation Policy: No refunds will be issued for cancellations

This webinar will be recorded and will be available for future viewing by RID members.

RID is providing this workshop as an opportunity for safe, respectful learning and will not permit harassment, discrimination or horizontal violence based on another's comments, questions, schema, race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or any other protected class.

• Define the concepts of lack of standardized legal terms within legal settings and its impact on Deaf persons outside the courtroom – such as in police custody, police interview and during custodial interrogation settings. 

• Analyze information shared on the examples of cases that were a result of erroneous translations, misinterpretations and miscommunication due to the lack of standardized interpretations.

• Recognize diverse and different levels of Deaf persons’ reading levels that require effective communication in the context of understanding legal terminology.

• Identify the situations may misunderstand and can be exacerbated if their level of interpreting is not experienced in legal jargon.

• Demonstrate best practices for providing ASL interpretation in legal settings despite the lack of standardized interpretations in legal terms.