FCICE case studies
FCICE · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination (FCICE) is the federal judiciary's two-phase credentialing examination for court interpreters, and it is offered for Spanish/English testing only - the primary interpreting need in the federal Judiciary. Phase One is a computer-administered screener consisting of a multiple-choice test of English proficiency and a multiple-choice test of Spanish proficiency; you must pass it to qualify to register for the oral examination. The FCICE case studies are 5 cases and about 3,983 words.
1The Double Lock: Paraphrasing a Bail Condition Without Loosening It
You are working the Phase One English written component. An item presents this line from a detention hearing: "The defendant shall not be released on his own recognizance unless the pretrial services officer has completed a risk assessment, and only then if the court finds that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of any other person and the community." Four English paraphrases follow.
674 words, about 3 min2Beneficio, Aprehensión, Sin Perjuicio: Three Traps in One Sentence
Phase One Spanish written component. You must render into English: "El juez le hizo saber al imputado que, de no comparecer a la audiencia señalada, se le revocará el beneficio y se librará orden de aprehensión en su contra, sin perjuicio de las demás consecuencias legales que correspondan." The options include: (A) "The judge informed the accused that, should he fail to appear at the scheduled hearing, the benefit will be revoked and an order of apprehension issued against him, without prejudice to the other legal consequences that may apply." (B) "The judge informed the defendant that, if he does not appear at the scheduled hearing, his release will be revoked and an arrest warrant issued against him, in addition to any other legal consequences." (C) "The judge informed the defendant that, if he failed to appear at the scheduled hearing, his release would be revoked and an arrest warrant issued against him, without prejudice to any other legal consequences that may apply." No dictionary, no extra time.
835 words, about 4 min3Forty Seconds, Two Pages, and a Handwritten Strike-Through
Phase Two sight translation. The respondent is 68, speaks no English, is hard of hearing, and has already told the court he does not understand why he is there.
795 words, about 4 min4Double Negative, Bench Conference, and a Case Number You Cannot Lose
Phase Two simultaneous interpretation. A federal bench trial.
867 words, about 4 min5NINETY SECONDS OF HEDGING, AN AMBIGUOUS PRONOUN, AND A QUESTION AIMED AT YOU
Phase Two consecutive interpretation. At sentencing, the victim's mother testifies in Spanish for about ninety seconds without pausing.
812 words, about 4 min