Court Interpreter Certification Legal Terminology & Specialized Vocabulary 2

Question 1

What is the legal meaning of 'arraignment' in U.S. criminal procedure?

Accepted Answer

A formal court appearance where charges are read and a plea is entered

Answer

An arraignment is the initial court appearance where the defendant is formally informed of charges and asked to enter a plea.

Question 2

How should a court interpreter handle a term in the source language for which no direct equivalent exists in the target language?

Accepted Answer

Borrow the source-language term and provide a brief parenthetical explanation

Answer

When no direct equivalent exists, interpreters may retain the source term and add a concise explanatory gloss to preserve both form and meaning.

Question 3

What does 'in limine' mean in U.S. court proceedings?

Accepted Answer

A motion made before or at the start of trial to limit certain evidence or testimony

Answer

A motion in limine is a pretrial motion requesting that the court exclude or limit certain evidence before it is presented to the jury.

Question 4

What is the term for a judge's instruction to the jury to disregard a statement just made in court?

Accepted Answer

Strike from the record

Answer

When a judge orders a statement stricken from the record, the jury is instructed to disregard it, though it has already been heard.

Question 5

Which Latin term is used to refer to a court's authority to hear a particular type of case?

Accepted Answer

Jurisdiction

Answer

Jurisdiction refers to the legal authority of a court to hear and decide a specific type of case based on subject matter, geography, or parties involved.

Court Interpreter Certification Practice Test

Court Interpreter Certification Practice Test

Court Interpreter Certification Legal Terminology & Specialized Vocabulary 2