The Most Common Hearing You'll Work. And Usually, You'll Work It Alone.

You get the call. "Court, 9:00 AM, arraignment." You're the only interpreter assigned. You show up thinking this will be quick — until you realize that in the next 20 minutes, your client is going to be formally charged, told their rights, and asked to enter a plea that could change the rest of their life. And you're going to interpret all of it. Solo. If you've ever walked into an arraignment without a clear map of what's about to happen, what the three plea options really mean, or what role you're actually filling in that courtroom, this workshop is for you. The Arraignment Process Part 1: Arraignment Basics is the foundation of the three-part Arraignment series. You'll learn what an arraignment is, why it's the most common — and most complicated — legal proceeding for court interpreters, and why you'll almost always be working it alone. You'll work through the criminal court process flow, the role of the Proceedings Interpreter at arraignment, and the three plea options a defendant can enter: Guilty, Not Guilty, and Nolo Contendere (Alford) — what each one means, what each one sets in motion, and what each one requires of you. What sets this workshop apart: Most legal training jumps straight to vocabulary. This workshop starts with the architecture — because you can't interpret what you don't understand. And it's built on one non-negotiable truth: there is no secret book of legal signs. Every interpretation gets contoured to the case, the client, and the charges in front of you. By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:  Define arraignment and explain its place in the criminal court process Distinguish between misdemeanor and felony charges and explain why the distinction matters Identify the three plea options — Guilty, Not Guilty, and Nolo/Alford — and the consequences of each Articulate the Proceedings Interpreter role at arraignment and when role flexibility is appropriate Who this is for: Working ASL interpreters stepping into court work, interpreters pursuing state legal credentials or specialized legal certification, and agency coordinators staffing legal assignments. Ready to stop showing up underprepared? Enroll now for instant access to the full workshop and your CEU certificate upon completion. Only have an hour? That's plenty of time.