Filing without an attorney or "Pro se", is Latin for "on one's own behalf." Individuals representing themselves in court without the assistance of an attorney are known as pro se litigants, and are said to be "proceeding pro se." Although the majority of individuals appearing before this court are represented by attorneys, a small percentage appear pro se.
Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF or ECF)
All of the filings and information about your case are maintained in the court’s CM/ECF system. CM/ECF allows attorneys and the Clerk's Office to file and maintain documents electronically. At the present time, pro se parties are not permitted to file electronically with the court. In accordance with Local Rule 5A(c) and section VI(B) of the Electronic Case Filing Procedures Manual, all documents submitted to the Clerk of Court for filing by parties proceeding pro se must be in paper form. Pro se parties who desire to file documents electronically via the CM/ECF system in a case in which they are a party, may request permission from the court to do so by contacting the Clerk of Court in writing.
Facsimile
Local Rule 5(b) states that "no document may be sent to the Clerk of Court for filing via facsimile transmission unless express prior authorization to do so has been obtained from a representative of the Clerk of Court or from the court. A request for such authorization should be made only in an emergency situation."
Filing Without Paying a Filing Fee (In Forma Pauperis or IFP)
In forma pauperis (IFP) is Latin for "in the form of a pauper." IFP status is generally granted to those who the court determines do not have the resources to pay the filing fee. To apply for IFP status, you must use the court's Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis form.