The NOTIS Legal Division invites you to join:
Staying in Your Lane: Scope of Practice for Court Interpreters
Presented by Melinda Gonzalez-Hibner
Workshop Overview:
Often, our sense of obligation to the justice system, to language access, or to our role as officers of the court collides with the expectations of unobtrusiveness and impartiality that are fundamental to the profession. This is understandable, as we can be simultaneously defined as interpreters, officers of the court, subject matter experts, independent contractors or court staff. The fact that many of us work in healthcare, community and conference settings can also serve to complicate our ability to respond appropriately to complex situations in the courtroom.
The environment outside the courtroom, while perhaps less complicated, also poses challenges for novice and experienced interpreters alike. In the absence of guidance from our code of professional conduct, professional interactions with our peers can be rewarding, frustrating or unclear.
What should one do if a colleague is misinterpreting testimony? Or stating on the record that they are certified, when they are not? What if the translated evidence presented by one of the parties is inaccurate? Should you share your opinion about the work of a colleague to one of your clients? Can you ever be a respectable “check” interpreter? Where does the role of the professional interpreter end, and the duty as an officer of the court begin?
If you have ever wondered how best to respond to challenging situations, inside or outside of the courtroom, this webinar is for you. We will discuss our scope of practice and how to apply our code of professional conduct in various settings. Come learn about our field from a wider perspective, including the repercussions your personal practices can have on your profession and your peers.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
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Become familiar with guidance regarding our role and scope of practice in the courtroom, specifically, canons 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 of the Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters in the Oregon Courts.
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Improve ability to recognize the limits of the interpreter role, whether staff or independent contractor
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Gain knowledge and skills necessary to respond to challenging situations by proper application of official guidance and professional standards.
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Learn whether official guidance from the state courts or professional associations have any bearing on our professional conduct outside of the courtroom
When:
May 31st, 2025, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. PST. Check-in at 8:50 a.m.
Where: 
Three days in advance, and again the day before the event, you will receive reminder emails with log-on instructions. Email or Text/Call 425-247-0684 (voice message only) if you don't receive a reminder. Skype Name: live:notisnet
Cost:
$55 for NOTIS members, $85 for nonmembers (Click to Join NOTIS)
Requirements:
Before you register, make sure that your online setup meets the equipment and connectivity requirements. Please read these Requirements before proceeding with your registration.
CE Credits:
Credit status will be updated upon approval.
| |
Credits Requested |
Approval Status |
| WA State AOC (Administrative of courts) |
3 ethics |
Pending* |
| OJD (Oregon Judicial Department) |
3 ethics |
Approved |
| ATA (American Translators Association) |
3 credits (Category A) |
Approved |
| CIMCE (California Court Interpreter Minimum Continuing Education) |
3 hours |
Pending (CIMCE#:) |
*Note: If WA AOC has not approved this workshop by the date it takes place, it will not appear on your certificate of completion. You can check the Continuing Education Class List later to see if it was approved. Please keep in mind that AOC decides the type of credit awarded, so it may differ from what NOTIS requested.
Who is teaching? 
Melinda Gonzalez-Hibner is an experienced and passionate trainer, and brings an enduring commitment to the wellbeing and professional excellence of interpreting practitioners to her workshops. She is a Federally Certified Court Interpreter, a qualified Department of State contract interpreter and ATA Spanish to English certified translator. Currently, she serves as the supervisory interpreter for the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. In her previous freelance life, her interpreting and translation experience was diverse, covering conference, military and community assignments in addition to legal interpreting. Dedicated to strengthening our profession, she has served on the Board of Directors of ATA, NAJIT and CAPI.
Certificates of Attendance will be awarded to all who arrive on time and stay for the entire workshop. Please allow yourself enough time to log on and sign in before the webshop begins. While latecomers are welcome to stay for the educational value of the webshop, we will not provide CE credit if you arrive late, for any reason.
No refunds can be given after May 26. A $15 processing fee will apply for refunds requested before the date. Contact NOTIS for cancellation. Transfer of credits to another workshop is not allowed. No refunds will be given for reasons unrelated to this content, such as unstable internet connection, issues with the third party applications, not receiving reminders, or problems with system requirements.
Be sure to read System Requirements for Zoom.
NOTE: This workshop will be recorded, and the recording will be available for registrants to view for one month after the workshop date.
Questions about registration?
12819 SE 38th St. #205,