The Telephone Interpreting Program is a telephone interpreting system developed by the Administrative Office to allow an interpreter at a remote location to deliver interpreting services using the consecutive interpreting mode for the record and the simultaneous mode for the defendant, by means of a two-line telephone system.
 
The U.S. Court Telephone Interpreting Program (TIP) has provided interpreting for courts nationwide since 1991 in a variety of languages and settings. TIP interpreting is ordinarily done in the simultaneous mode, allowing dual-language hearings to proceed at the same pace as those conducted in English only. Since defendants and witnesses hear languages other than English through telephone handsets or headsets, interpreter interference in the courtroom is minimal.
 
Other than interpreting for motions, pretrial hearings, initial appearances, arraignments, or sentencings, the interpreter can also provide service in attorney-client interviews before and after hearings, or in interviews conducted by pre-trial or probation officers. Interpreting can also be provided for attorneys or other parties who may not even be in the courtroom, but who can be connected by means of conference calls.