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English Words Signed the Same As Appeal Complain Accuse Blame Complain Blame Court Trial Burglary Constitution Crime Felony Misdemeanor Rights English Words Signed As Forfeit right to trial Give up trial Forfeit right to appeal No more, or finish court Forfeit right to call witnesses No more, or give up witnesses Forfeit right to testify on own behalf Give up testify, or no talk self Right against self-incrimination Give up, or say guilty I did it Allow at least double the time for all court-related activities Whenever possible, work with professionals familiar with deafness and Deaf Culture Use only appropriately certified interpreters. Do not use family members Do not use writing to convey or solicit information To measure intelligence, rely on nonverbal tests for the best estimate of overall skill Use verbal testing to help the court understand how the deaf person may understand court proceedings or communication Do not use written personality tests to diagnose mental illness. Use a Clinical Interview and Mental Status Exam and blunt, direct language Test basic academic skills and report as grade levels or age equivalencies to assist the court in understanding what the deaf person is likely to understand Provide concrete or literal information and questions. Avoid abstract or inferential information Ask the deaf person to repeat what was said Review information frequently with the deaf person to ensure understanding Review phone conversations with the deaf person during the next in-person meeting Use the same interpreters whenever possible Ask about the etiology of the person’s hearing loss to understand language, social, and cognitive limitations Remember that American Sign Language (ASL) is not English. The syntax and grammar are not the same and there is no written form of ASL Move proceedings to smaller courtrooms for better acoustics Use a sign with the person’s name to call the deaf person to court Remove the deaf person’s handcuffs to facilitate use of sign language and gestures Take breaks during court proceedings to allow the deaf defendant to ask questions and get clarification about what has happened in court Use actual pictures to educate deaf defendants about the participants’ roles in the courtroom Provide deaf defendants access to a videophone or similar device
