In high-stakes legal proceedings, the accuracy of the record is the foundation of justice. This workshop explores the "CDI Mandate," arguing that a Certified Deaf Interpreter is not an accommodation, but a forensic necessity. We will analyze case studies where the absence of a CDI led to linguistic "leakage" and compromised the legal record. Participants will learn how to articulate this mandate to court administrators and legal counsel to ensure that the Deaf individual’s constitutional rights are protected through expert linguistic mediation and the preservation of the forensic record.