The Art of Legal Interpretation is a clear and relevant practical guide for court interpreters and for attorneys and judges who work with them. With the influx of non-English speaking litigants into the American judicial system, the need for qualified interpreters has never been greater. New certification requirements and codes of conduct are being reviewed and adopted nationwide. This book covers everything from language skill requirements to proper courtroom conduct. It sets out the certification requirements and codes of conduct of the federal courts and the State of Oregon. It gives practical advice on avoiding common errors and explains the interpreter's role in grand juries, arraignments, jail interviews, hearings, and trials. Though geared toward bilingual interpreters, most of the principles apply to sign language interpreters as well.
Topics include:
- Avoiding common errors
- Codes of conduct
- Bias and conflicts of interest
- Language proficiency
- Who pays interpreter fees
- Courtroom do's and dont's
- Legal terminology
- Certification
