A courthouse contacts you about a criminal trial. You are certified but have no formal training in legal interpreting. What should you do?

A courthouse contacts you about a criminal trial. You are certified but have no formal training in legal interpreting. What should you do?

• A. Decline the job and provide names of other interpreters who are qualified for the job
• B. Accept with note to seek training later
• C. Accept but request an attorney present
• D. Ask for extra compensation for the uncertainty

Answer: (A)

In a criminal court, accuracy, neutrality, and protecting the defendant’s rights hinge on having an interpreter who is truly prepared for legal proceedings. Even with general certification, lacking formal training in legal interpreting means you may not be fluent in courtroom terminology, procedures, and the confidentiality and ethical standards that govern courtroom communication. Accepting an assignment you aren’t qualified to handle can risk misinterpretation, misunderstandings of legal concepts, and potential due process violations for the parties involved. The appropriate course is to decline the job and point the court to interpreters who have the necessary legal interpreting training and experience. This helps ensure the proceedings run smoothly and that all participants receive accurate, impartial communication. Offering to provide names of qualified colleagues is a constructive way to support the court and, at the same time, uphold professional standards. Requests for attorney presence or extra compensation don’t substitute for the required competence, and agreeing to take the job later after “training” on the fly would undermine the integrity of the process.

In a criminal court, accuracy, neutrality, and protecting the defendant’s rights hinge on having an interpreter who is truly prepared for legal proceedings. Even with general certification, lacking formal training in legal interpreting means you may not be fluent in courtroom terminology, procedures, and the confidentiality and ethical standards that govern courtroom communication. Accepting an assignment you aren’t qualified to handle can risk misinterpretation, misunderstandings of legal concepts, and potential due process violations for the parties involved.

The appropriate course is to decline the job and point the court to interpreters who have the necessary legal interpreting training and experience. This helps ensure the proceedings run smoothly and that all participants receive accurate, impartial communication. Offering to provide names of qualified colleagues is a constructive way to support the court and, at the same time, uphold professional standards.

Requests for attorney presence or extra compensation don’t substitute for the required competence, and agreeing to take the job later after “training” on the fly would undermine the integrity of the process.