Understanding Attorney Strategy and Evidentiary Rules for ASL Interpreters

Live Online Training

This course is designed to bring clarity to interpreters working in trial settings with deaf participants. Interpreters can study legal discourse strategies to understand, predict and project patterns to be used in effective management of cognitive resources, team interpreting and staffing. Understanding the interplay of the rules of evidence, rules for ‘witness-talk’ and theories underlying successful argument are critical to the effective transfer of meaning between two languages. The session will present a legal framework to understand direct and cross examination strategies, a matrix of common objections, arguments in support of an against and finally judicial options for rulings and remedies.  Participants will analyze actual samples of authentic courtroom discourse, classify framework/matrix elements, and discuss patterns to assist in teamwork and staffing.  Hands on activities will allow participants to apply theory to practice.

Pre-requisite: ASL certification required. NIC at any level, or older RID certifications accepted

Course Overview

  • Identify the major discourse strategies and objectives attorneys use on direct examination.

  • Identify the major discourse strategies, objectives and evidentiary limitations attorneys face on cross examination.

  • Participants will be able to define at least 4 categories of discourse strategies used in ASL to interpret for deaf witnesses.

  • Define, describe and interpret at least 10 commonly encountered objections to attorney questions and witness responses.

  • Define and describe the evidentiary rules and unique procedures used with chain of custody witnesses.

  • Identify and define the unique procedure, protocol and evidentiary rules used by direct and cross examiners when working with expert witnesses.

Who Should Attend?

This course is specifically designed for American Sign Language (ASL) Legal Interpreters

  • Skill Level: Intermediate

    This level is ideal for those looking to enhance their skills, deepen their understanding of legal terminology, and refine their interpreting techniques in legal contexts.

  • Language

    Presented in American Sign Language (ASL), interpreter will not be provided

  • Specialization

    Legal Interpreters

  • Pre-Requisite

    ASL certification required. NIC at any level, or older RID certifications accepted.

Class begins October 18th, 2025!

Seats are limited

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Course Schedule: 12-Hour Training

Join us live for an engaging and interactive learning experience!

  • Class Days

    Saturday & Sunday

  • Dates: 2025

    October 18-19

  • Time

    9:00 AM - 4:00 PM ET (Eastern Time)

Carla Mathers

Carla M. Mathers, Esquire, SC: L practiced law in Maryland and the District of Columbia for twenty years. She currently is an independent consultant teaching legal interpreters and interpreting in legal settings. Ms. Mathers’ law degree is from Howard University School of Law. Ms. Mathers’ interpreting degree is from the College of Southern Idaho. She currently serves on the District of Columbia Courts Language Access Advisory Committee, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Legal Interpreting Credential Task Force and the National Association of the Deaf’s Video Remote Interpreting in Court Task Force. Ms. Mathers previously sat on the Advisory Group for Language Access to develop standards for language access in courts for the American Bar Association. Ms. Mathers also sat on the Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts’ Advisory Committee on Interpreters Sub-committee on Ethics and Sub-committee on Testing and Training. Ms. Mathers formerly served as the Legal Program Coordinator for MARIE Center/DOIT Center at the University of Northern Colorado. She serves as an adjunct instructor for the Gallaudet University Department of Interpretation teaching legal interpreting, among other courses. She served as Vice President for the Conference of Interpreter Trainers and sat on the Board of Directors for the Deaf Abused Women’s Network in Washington, D.C. Ms. Mathers is the author of Sign Language Interpreters in Court: Understanding Best Practices, a text for interpreters, attorneys and courts to understand the principles underlying ASL court interpreting.

Looking for more ASL Legal Training?

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Continuing Education


Reasonable Accommodations Policy

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of DE LA MORA Institute of Interpretation to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified student or participant with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of participating in classes and workshops sponsored and hosted by DE LA MORA Institute of Interpretation. For training done in support of private or state contracts, reasonable accommodation will be determined by the policy of the sponsoring individual or organization. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact us by email at [email protected] or call our office at (407) 677-4155.

Non-Discrimination Policy

DE LA MORA Institute of Interpretation does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of vendors, and provision of services - such as classes, webinars, and workshops. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, subcontractors, and students.

Safe Learning Environment

DE LA MORA Institute of Interpretation's classes and workshops are a safe learning environment. Comments and opinions shared within the class setting will not be published or made available to anyone outside of the original registrants, event coordinators, and those approved by the event sponsor to take the course. If recordings are made of the event, these recordings will only be made available to those approved by the event sponsor to take the course, as a reference material for review for a limited amount of time.

Refund/Cancellation Policy

Notice of event cancellations or changes of date/time will be issued a minimum of one week prior to the event date


 



Contact us for questions: 

(407) 677-4155
[email protected]

Who We Are

DE LA MORA Institute of Interpretation is a fully remote online school that trains legal and medical interpreters to work in their respective fields. DLMII was founded in 1998 by Agustín Servin de la Mora from the vision and core belief that interpretation as a chosen profession deserved better educational options. We are constantly striving to stay ahead of the trends and learning styles prevalent in today’s interpreting field through various formats including in-person seminars, live online instruction, and self-paced education. Our mission is to foster understanding and communication through exceptional interpreter education and development, and to advance professional interpretation standards worldwide. Our vision is to become the most accessible interpreter education platform in the world.
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