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About CM/ECF

About CM/ECF - Notices - Training - FAQ's - Links

CM/ECF is an Internet-based document filing system. CM/ECF is user-friendly and offers many benefits to the public, attorneys, and the court. By using this system, entries are immediately placed on the docket sheet. You can view docket entries and the pleadings right from your PC without leaving your office!

The design of CM/ECF provides for low-cost user access to the system. Any modern PC with Internet access and Web browser software can access CM/ECF. Retrieving electronically filed documents requires the Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader software (or equivalent), which is available at no cost from Adobe over the Internet. Adobe Acrobat PDF Writer and/or Acrobat Exchange is required for filing.

Hardware and Software Information

Filing documents into CM/ECF electronic filing systems requires the following hardware and software:

. A personal computer running a standard platform such as Windows or Macintosh.
. A PDF-compatible word processor like Macintosh or Windows-based versions of WordPerfect or Word.
. Internet service.
. Netscape Navigator version 4.6 or 4.7.( Netscape 6 is not recommended for use with CM/ECF.) and Internet Explorer 5.5, Internet Explorer 6.0 and IE 7. Mozilla Firefox 2.0.
. Software to convert documents from a word processor format to portable document format (PDF). Adobe Acrobat PDF Writer is recommended. Acrobat Writer Version 3.X, 4.X and 5.0 and later adequately meet the CM/ECF filing requirements.
. Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available for free, is needed for viewing PDF documents.
. A scanner may be necessary to create electronic images of documents that are not in your word processing system.
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Document Format

CM/ECF systems are designed to accept only documents in Portable Document Format (PDF). This format was chosen because it allows a document to retain its pagination, formatting and fonts no matter what type of computer is used to view or print the document. It is also an open standard format. Adobe developed the format, and offers software that allows conversion of documents created in most word processing systems into PDF. This software is recommended. Several word processing programs also contain features that convert documents created in those programs into PDF.
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Procedural Rules for Lawyers

Rule 5(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 5005(a) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, Rule 25(a) of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, and Rule 49(d) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure authorize individual courts by local rule to permit papers to be filed by electronic means. Most courts that offer electronic filing have issued an authorizing local rule; most have supplemented the local rule with a general order and/or procedures that set forth the relevant procedures governing electronic filing in that court. Individual court rules and procedures are generally available on their Web sites. Recent amendments to Rules 5(b) and 77 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules 25 and 26 of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rules 45 and 49 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and Rules 7005, 9014 and 9022 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure authorize service of documents by electronic means if parties consent. The amendments do not apply to service of process. For more information, click here.
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