Webinar Description

This session provides EOIR interpreters with a structured overview of core federal criminal and procedural law terminology that routinely arises in immigration court proceedings. Although EOIR hearings are civil in nature, interpreters are frequently required to render concepts drawn from U.S. federal criminal practice—often without explanation or contextual framing from counsel or the court. The presentation focuses on demystifying high-frequency terms, clarifying their procedural function, and distinguishing them from superficially similar concepts in state or foreign legal systems, with an emphasis on accuracy, register control, and professional neutrality in interpretation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Identify high-frequency federal criminal and procedural terms that commonly surface in EOIR hearings

  • Distinguish between criminal, civil, and immigration procedural terminology to avoid false equivalence and semantic interference during interpretation.

  • Recognize terms that carry different meanings in federal versus EOIR practice.

  • Apply appropriate register and legal precision when interpreting procedural concepts.

Continuing Education

Continuing education credits are approved for the following states: 

2.5 CEUs: (States pending)

For states not listed, students can individually apply for CEUs in the specific state or states where needed by submitting all necessary information required by state prior to attending.


Questions? Contact us!

(407) 677-4155 | email: [email protected]

Meet the Presenter

Federally Certified Interpreter

Katty Kauffman

Katty Kauffman is a conference and legal interpreter, a graduate of Pedro de Valdivia School of Law in Santiago, Chile and the Certificate Program in Comparative US/Latin American Legal Reforms at Washington College of Law at American University in Washington, DC. A member of NAJIT and AIIC, she is a contributing author to the 2nd Edition of Fundamentals of Court Interpretation and a member of the Editorial Board of the 2nd Edition of Sandro Tomasi's Criminal Law Dictionary. A frequent speaker nationwide on the criminal procedure reforms that have swept Latin America, a former staff interpreter with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and federal exam rater, she is currently working as a freelancer from her home base in Miami.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome!

    • Webinar Description
  • 2

    Webinar Replay

    • Federal Criminal and Procedural Law Terms - Webinar and Resources
  • 3

    Certificate of Completion

    • Final Quiz

    • Final Quiz

    • Feedback Survey

    • Thanks for Watching!

Student Access

Student access on this platform is limited the same as if attending a live class.

  • All SOSi courses include 30 days of access. Our 40 hour courses include 6 months of access. All other courses can be accessed for 3 months.

  • We want to help you get the most out of our classes. If you need additional time please contact us.

  • 407-677-4155

  • [email protected]