To-MAY-to, To-MAH-to: State Laws, State Lingo, and the Interpreter’s Dilemma

Interpreting criminal charges accurately across state lines is more critical than ever. Learn how to navigate legal terminology differences in a post-COVID, multi-jurisdictional world.

Laws differ from state to state, which can affect the terminology interpreters use in and out of the courtroom. It’s even more critical in a post-Covid world where many interpreters work remotely across multiple states and jurisdictions. This webinar will examine why it’s important to know the elements of criminal charges in the state(s) where you work, similarities and differences of common criminal charges from state to state, and proposed solutions to the terminology dilemma.

By attending this webinar, you will:

1. Learn the specific names and elements of common criminal charges for the states where students work (e.g., theft vs robbery vs burglary).
2. Learn the specific names and elements of common criminal charges as used in the countries of origin of the nationalities represented among limited English proficiency speakers where students work (e.g., allanamiento vs registro).

About the Presenter

Jason Knapp is a federally certified court interpreter, ATA-certified translator, and conference interpreter rostered with the U.S. Department of State. He is active in several professional associations and currently serves on committees for both NAJIT and the ATA. He has presented at national-level conferences and was recently accepted as a pre-candidate to AIIC (International Association of Conference Interpreters).