At the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, electronic filing is now mandatory (having been merely optional since the program began). According to an article in today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch, many lawyers who practice in the court haven't yet gotten the message:
About 8,000 attorneys are licensed to practice in Southern Illinois' federal courthouses, but so far just 500 have signed up for a password to the new system, reports U.S. District Judge Michael J. Reagan."This is despite an aggressive notification campaign," the judge said.
Lawyers unaware that the court will no longer accept a document mailed or handed over a counter in person may be in for a surprise, he said.
"Federal Court in East St. Louis Scraps Paper Filing System," by Michael Shaw.
Just moments ago, I talked to an assistant clerk on the phone, who said that it takes up to two days to register for online filing. "Don't wait until the day your brief is due," she said.
Last time I checked, an attorney can file electronically using the court's computer. This is the way pro se litigants will choose to file. So, if you are in a bind and aren't on-line with the court, go to the courthouse, scan in your document and e-file it right there. And, by the way, with all the computer demands and personal knowledge required, I don't believe most people can be up and running in two days. You actually have to pass a test before you are given a password. Good luck!
Posted by: Jane | January 26, 2004 at 09:45 PM