In court, what matters most is following the sequence the judge sets. When it's your turn to cross-examine, you ask questions; you don't tell your story yet. At an arraignment, the answer to "How do you plead?" is one word. Never argue with the other side or talk over the interpreter, and remember that the interpreter is neutral, never against you. Here is what Mikhail sees in courtrooms almost every time, from traffic court to unlawful detainers and small claims.
Cross-examination is for questions, not for your story
Almost every time, whether in traffic court or in a civil case such as an unlawful detainer or small claims, people mishear the judge's explanation of the sequence. Once the other party finishes testifying, before you tell your side of the story, you get to ask them questions: cross-examination (перекрёстный допрос). That means exactly that: you ask questions based on the testimony you just heard, or other questions, but you don't tell your story yet.
For example, you ask: "Why did you say you were there?" Instead of stopping there, people keep going: "I was there, and I didn't see you because…" At that moment you are testifying, and it isn't time for that yet. Listen to the judge, follow their instructions and don't make up rules of your own. Your turn to tell your side will come.
At the arraignment, the answer is one word
An arraignment, especially in traffic court, is not the time to tell your story. The judge tells you what you are charged with and asks how you plead. The problem is linguistic: "How do you plead?" can sound like "What do you have to say?", and people take it as an invitation to explain everything. All the judge wants to know at that point is whether you plead guilty or not guilty. There are six possible pleas, and the two most common are guilty and not guilty. You may also hear the question as "Do you plead guilty or not guilty?" Either way, the court expects one of those words, not a story. Which plea to enter is a question for your attorney.
Don't argue, and don't interrupt
However strong the urge to answer a lie being told about you, wait for your turn: you will always get one. Talking back earns you nothing and can easily irritate the judge, which works against you. Listen carefully to the interpretation, write down or remember what was said, and when your turn comes, address every point.
Insider tip: don't talk over your interpreter
While the other side speaks, your interpreter interprets simultaneously: listening to the English, processing it and saying it to you in Russian at the same time, with a delay of one or two seconds that you don't even notice. It is a complex process happening in real time. People often react out of emotion while the interpreter is working, saying "that's a lie" or worse, quietly in the interpreter's ear. Those words get you nowhere. They force the interpreter to listen to you instead of the other party, or worse, the judge, and you risk missing exactly the information you could have challenged later. Let the other side speak, as you would want them to let you, and respond when the court gives you the opportunity.
The interpreter is never against you
An interpreter is not for you, but certainly not against you. People often mistake the interpreter's words for the interpreter's own opinion, but the interpreter only conveys someone else's words in a language you understand. Interpreters don't take sides, don't plot against you and don't side with your opponent: they are neutral and bound by a code of ethics, like any officer of the court. If you have a grievance, direct it at the person with standing and authority, not at the interpreter.
People also assume that an interpreter hired by the other side is "one of them". That is utterly false, and no amount of money can buy such allegiance. Whether the court or the other party provides the interpreter, the interpreter is neutral and equally available to you and to the other side, in every way.
Answer briefly, in simple words
When you testify, answer only what was asked: the attorney knows exactly what they need, and unsolicited details open doors to new questions. Don't listen to the English, even if you understand some; listen to the interpretation, so you don't miss part of a question. Use simple words, because the judge and the attorneys have to understand you, not just the interpreter. And never answer a question you didn't understand: say so, and the interpreter will let the court know it needs to be repeated or rephrased.
Will the court provide an interpreter?
In criminal cases, always and at no cost; in civil and family cases, it depends on the type of case. Details by type of case: who provides the interpreter. For hearings where you need to hire one: certified court interpreter.
General information, not legal advice. Which plea to enter, what to say and how to present your case are questions for your attorney.
Mikhail Bogomolny
California-certified court interpreter (English–Russian) with 17+ years of experience in courts, immigration courts and USCIS interviews. Mikhail is not an attorney, and nothing on this site is legal advice.