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UNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURTMIDDLEDISTRICTOFGEORGIA
GUIDEFORATTORNEYCASEOPENING
U.S. District Court
Revised January, 2020
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ContentsThis is an outline of steps to be taken when opening a civil case. Detailed information to follow.......................................................................................................................................................... 2
I. ATTORNEY CHECKLIST ........................................................................................................ 2
II. ATTORNEY ELECTRONIC CIVIL CASE OPENING .......................................................... 4
Statistical Screen ......................................................................................................................... 7
Jurisdiction .............................................................................................................................. 7
Cause of Action....................................................................................................................... 8
Nature of Suit .......................................................................................................................... 8
Origin ...................................................................................................................................... 8
Citizenship plaintiff/Citizenship defendant ............................................................................ 8
Jury Demand ........................................................................................................................... 9
Class Action ............................................................................................................................ 9
Demand ($000) ....................................................................................................................... 9
Arbitration code ...................................................................................................................... 9
County ..................................................................................................................................... 9
Fee Status ................................................................................................................................ 9
Fee Date ................................................................................................................................ 10
Date of transfer ..................................................................................................................... 10
III. ADDING A PARTY .............................................................................................................. 11
IV. ADDING AN ALIAS ............................................................................................................ 15
V. CASE NUMBER ASSIGNMENT AND DOCKETING LEAD EVENT .............................. 18
Docketing Lead Event ........................................................................................................... 18
VI. PAYING THE FILING FEE ................................................................................................. 25
VII. FINAL DOCKET TEXT SCREEN ..................................................................................... 29
VIII. NOTICE OF ELECTRONIC FILING (NEF) AND JUDGE ASSIGNMENT ................... 30
IX. MISCELLANEOUS CASE OPENING DOCUMENTS ...................................................... 31
X. SEALED CASES .................................................................................................................... 35
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Thisisanoutlineofstepstobetakenwhenopeningacivilcase.Detailedinformationtofollow.
I.ATTORNEYCHECKLIST StepstoTakePriortoOpeningaCivilCase: STEP1:ReadallinstructionsonOpeningaNewCivilCase.Donotopenanewcivil
caseunlessyoucompletelyunderstandalloftheinstructions.Ifyouhaveany questions,concernsorexperienceproblemsduringtheprocess,pleasecontact theClerk’sOfficeforassistance.
Albany‐(229)430‐8432Athens‐(706)227‐1094Columbus‐(706)649‐7816Macon‐(478)752‐3497Valdosta–(229)242‐3616
STEP2:Preparethefollowingdocumentsandconverttoatext‐searchableAdobeAcrobatPDF(Ensuretherearenoembeddedlinksinsidethedocuments).Itis
recommendedthatscannersettingsbeconfiguredat150dpiinblackandwhiteonly:
InitiatingDocument(complaint,noticeofremoval,etc.) CivilCoverSheet(JS‐44) Summons(es),ifapplicable Exhibits,ifapplicable.Eachexhibitmustcontainadescriptionofthe
exhibitintheDescriptionbox.Thedescriptionmustbeofsufficientdetailastomaketheattachmentreadilyidentifiabletothecourt.Agenericidentifiersuchas“ExhibitA”or“Exhibit1”isnotacceptable.
STEP3:Haveavalidcreditordebitcard(VISA,MasterCard,AmericanExpress,
Discover)topaytherequiredfilingfee.Thepaymentinformationisnotrequiredifyouarefilinga“Complaint(IFP)”orrepresentingthegovernment.
OpeningaNewCivilCase:
STEP1:EnterallnecessaryinformationonCM/ECFscreens.
Enterallthestatisticalinformation. Enterallthepartiesintheexactorderlistedonthecomplaint. PartyRoledefaultstoDefendant.Modifythepartyroletypetothe
correctrole(e.g.Plaintiff,Defendant,Petitioner,orRespondent).Donotaddaddresses,telephonenumbersore‐mailinformation.
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STEP2:Dockettheleadevent. Select the appropriate lead event and attach the signed initiating
document. Attachthecompletedandsignedcivilcoversheetasaseparate
attachment.Choose“CivilCoverSheet”fromthedropdownmenuunderCategory.
Attacheachsupportingdocumenttothecaseinitiatingdocumentasaseparateattachment(i.e.,exhibits).Besuretoincludeadescriptionoftheattachment(s)intheDescriptionboxasoutlinedabove.
Attachsummons(es)asaseparateattachmenttothecaseinitiatingdocument.
DONOTATTACHmotiontoproceedinformapauperis.Thisdocumentmustbefiledasaseparateentryonceyourcasehasbeenopened.
SubsequentDocuments: Fileallsubsequentfilingsuponreceiptofthejudgeassignment
notification.
NOTE:Youmustcompletetheentireprocess.Neverhitthebackbuttononceyoubegintheprocess.DONOTattempttoopenthesamecasetwice.
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II.ATTORNEYELECTRONICCIVILCASEOPENINGTofileanewcivilcaseusingCM/ECF,followthestepsoutlinedinthissection.Youmayclickhttps://ecf.gamd.uscourts.gov/fordirectaccessCM/ECF.
1. Enter your PACER Username and Password. Do not enter a Client Code. Click thecheckboxthatyouhavereadthe“ImportantNoticeofRedactionResponsibility.” ClickContinue.SeeFigure1.1.
Figure1.1PLEASENOTE:IfyourcaseinitiatingdocumentisaMotiontoQuash,RegistrationofForeignJudgment,orOtherInitialPleading(e.g.MotionforTemporaryRestrainingOrder,MotionforPreliminaryInjunction,etc.),pleaseabort. SeeSectionIX,page30forinstructionsforfilingaMiscellaneousCase.
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2.TheMiddleDistrictofGeorgiaCM/ECFpageisdisplayed.SelectCivilonthemainmenubartocontinue.SeeFigure1.2.
Figure1.23.SelectAttorneyCaseOpeningfromtheCivilEventsMenu.SeeFigure1.3.
Figure 1.3 4.TheOpenandAssignaCivilCase–AttorneyScreenisdisplayed.SelecttheappropriatedivisionalOfficefromthedrop‐downlist.DONOTchangetheCasetype.TheCasetypeisalwayscv.SeeFigure1.4.
Figure 1.4 PursuanttoLocalRule3.4,theOfficeisdeterminedby:
1)thecountyinwhichtheincidentoccurred;or2)thecountyofresidenceofplaintiff;or3)thecountyofresidenceofdefendant.
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TheMiddleDistrictofGeorgiahasfivedivisionswitheachdivisionassignedaleadingnumberasfollows:
Albany(1):Baker,BenHill,Calhoun,Crisp,Decatur,Dougherty,Early,Grady,Lee,Miller,Mitchell,Schley,Seminole,Sumter,Terrell,Turner,Webster,andWorth
Athens(3):Clarke,Elbert,Franklin,Greene,Madison,Morgan,Oconee,andOglethorpe,Walton
Columbus(4):Chattahoochee,Clay,Harris,Marion,Muscogee,Quitman,Randolph,Stewart,Talbot,andTaylorMacon(5):Baldwin,Bibb,Bleckley,Butts,Crawford,Dooly,Hancock,Houston,Jasper,Jones,Lamar,Macon,Monroe,Peach,Pulaski,Putnam,Twiggs,Upson,Washington,Wilcox,andWilkinson
Valdosta (7): Berrien,Brooks,Clinch,Colquitt,Cook,Echols, Irwin,Lanier,Lowndes,Thomas,andTift
NOTE:Itiscriticalthatyouselecttheappropriatedivisionaloffice,asanerrorwilldelayyourcase.5.TheLeadcasenumber,Associationtype,andJPMLfieldsareforinternaluseonly.DonotEnterinformationinthesefields.DoNOTchecktheRelatedCasesbox.SeeFigure1.5.
Figure1.56.OnlyenterinformationintheOthercourtnameandOthercourtnumberfieldsifyouarefilingaNoticeofRemoval.EnterthenameofthecourtinwhichthecaseisbeingremovedintheOthercourtname.EnterthecasenumberofthecourtinwhichthecaseisbeingremovedintheOthercourtnumberfield.SeeFigure1.5.Click[Next]tocontinue.SeeFigure1.5.
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StatisticalScreenThestatisticalscreenappearsanddisplaysmultiplefieldstoenternewcaseinformationlocatedontheCivilCoverSheet(JS_44).Selectfromtheoptionsdisplayedfromthepulldownarrowsorfillinthenecessaryfields.SeeFigure1.6.
Figure1.6
JurisdictionSelectfromoneofthefollowingfiveoptions:1.U.S.GovernmentPlaintiff‐Jurisdictionbasedon28U.S.C.§1345and§1348.SuitsbyagenciesandofficersoftheUnitedStatesareincluded.U.S.GovernmentPlaintiffselectionmustbeusedwhentheU.S.GovernmentisfilingaComplaintforForfeitureasthecaseinitiatingdocument.FailuretoselecttheU.S.GovernmentPlaintiffjurisdictionwillresultinthefollowingusermessage:
Ifthismessageisreceived,theusermustreturntotheJurisdictionsectionandSelectU.S.GovernmentPlaintiff.2.U.S.GovernmentDefendant‐TheplaintiffissuingtheUnitedStates,itsofficersoragencies.3.FederalQuestion‐Suitsbroughtunder28U.S.C.§1331,wherejurisdictionarisesundertheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,anamendmenttotheConstitution,anactofCongress,oratreatyoftheUnitedStates.4.DiversityofCitizenship‐Suitsbroughtunder28U.S.C.§1332,wherepartiesarecitizensorbusinessesofdifferentstatesorcountries.Citizenshipforplaintiffanddefendantmustbeenteredinthecorrespondingfields.5.LocalQuestion‐Thisoptionisnotcurrentlyused.Donotselectthisoption.
CM/ECFdefaultstocode3(FederalQuestion)becauseitisthemostcommon.SeeFigure1.6.
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CauseofActionSelecttheappropriateCauseofActioncodefromtheCauseofActiondrop‐downlist.ThiscodeshouldmatchBlockVI–CauseofActionlistedintheCivilCoverSheet.TheFilterisashortcuttothecauseofactionselection.Inthisexample42:1983cvistypedintheFiltertable.Thecorrectcauseofactionisdisplayed.Ifthisisnotcorrect,click[Clearfilter]torepeattheprocessandselectthecorrectcauseofaction.SeeFigure1.7.
Figure1.7
NatureofSuitSelecttheappropriateNatureofSuitfromthedrop‐downlistorusealphanumericcodesinthefilterfield.Inthisexample440istypedintheFilterbox.ThecorrectNatureofSuitisdisplayed.Ifthisisnotcorrect,click[Clearfilter]torepeattheprocessandselectthecorrectNatureofSuit.SeeFigure1.8.
Figure1.8
OriginSelectthecorrectOrigincode.Thesystemdefaultsto1(OriginalProceeding).OnlychangethedefaultOrigincodewhenfilingaNoticeofRemoval2(RemovalfromStateCourt).AllotheroptionsareforCOURTUSEONLY.SeeFigure1.9.
Figure1.9Citizenshipplaintiff/Citizenshipdefendant
Ifjurisdictionisbasedoncode4(Diversity)ofCitizenship,completetheCitizenshipplaintiffandCitizenshipdefendantfields.Otherwise,skipthisstep.SeeFigure1.10.
Figure1.10
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JuryDemand n(None)ifplaintiffdoesnotwishtohaveaJuryTrial p(Plaintiff)ifplaintiffwishestohaveaJuryTrial b(Both)forNoticeofRemovalcasesinwhichbothpartieshaverequesteda jurytrialineithercourt d(Defendant)forNoticeofRemovalcasesinwhichonlythedefendanthas requestedajurytrialSeeFigure1.11
ClassActionClassActionfielddefaultston(NoClassActionAlleged).Ifyouarerequestingclassactioncertification,changetheClassActionfieldfromntoy.SeeFigure1.11
Demand($000)Ifapplicable,enterthemonetaryDemand($000)oftheplaintiff.Thismustbeenteredinthousands,roundedtothenearestthousanddollars.Forexample,ifthedemandisfor$99,900,enter“100”.Ifthedemandisfor$1,000,000,enter1000.Donotincludethedollarsign.SeeFigure1.11.
Figure1.11Arbitrationcode
Leaveblank.SeeFigure1.11.County
Withtheexceptionofacaseinwhichjurisdictionisbasedontheplaintiff beingtheUnitedStates,intheCountyfield,enterthenameofthecountywherethefirst listedplaintiffresidesatthetimeoffiling.InU.S.plaintiffcases,enterthenameofthe countyinwhichthefirstlisteddefendantresidesatthetimeoffiling.Thiscounty shouldcorrespondwiththeOfficecodeontheinitialcaseopeningscreen(page6).If thedefendantresidesoutofstate,selectXXUS–OutsideState.Ifthedefendantresides
outsideoftheUS,selectXX‐OutsideUS.SeeFigure1.12.
Figure1.12FeeStatus
fp(informapauperis):ChangetheFeestatusfieldtofp(informapauperis)ifgrantedinStateCourt(NoticeofRemoval
none(nofeerequired):forUSAttorneyuseonly pd(paid):ifbeingpaidelectronicallythroughpay.govwiththeinitialfiling
cases) pend(IFPpending):ifsubmittingamotiontoproceedinformapauperis wv(waived):Forinternaluseonly.
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FeeDateSystemgenerated.DONOTMODIFY.
Dateoftransfer
Systemgenerated.DONOTMODIFY.SeeFigure1.13.
Figure1.13AfterselectingorenteringalloftherequiredinformationontheOpenaCivilCasescreen,click[Next]tocontinue.SeeFigure1.14.
Figure1.14
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III.ADDINGAPARTYAllpartiesshouldbeaddedintheorderinwhichtheyappearonyourcaseinitiatingdocument.YouwillseethefollowingusermessageasaremindertomodifytheRoletypeasthesystemdefaultstoDefendant:
Figure2.1Ifapartyhaspreviouslybeeninvolvedinlitigationinthisdistrict,thenamewillalreadyexistintheECFdatabase.***REMINDER***allpartiesmustbeaddedusingALLCAPS.(i.e.LISASMITHorDELTAAIRLINES).DonotuseANYpunctuationwhenaddingnewparties.Forinstructionsastohowtoaddparties,pleaserefertotheMiddleDistrictofGeorgia’sStyleGuidehttp://www.gamd.uscourts.gov/sites/gamd/files/StyleGuideEfiling.pdf.NOTE:Ifthepartyinwhichyou’researchingiscurrentlyinthedatabaseinlowercaseletters,selectthepartycurrentlyinthesystem.Toaddanewparty,typeintheparty’slastname,orifabusiness,thebusinessnameintheLast/BusinessNamefield.CompletetheFirstNameandMiddleNamefields,asapplicable.Enterthefirstfewlettersoftheplaintiff’slastname,andclickSearch.Seefigure2.2.
Figure2.2
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IfthenameofthepartyisfoundintheSearch,highlightthenameandclickSelectPartyinordertoeliminatedifferentversionsofthesamepartynameinthedatabase.SeeFigure2.3
Figure2.3Ifthepartyinwhichyouaresearchingisnotinthesystem,click[CreateNewParty].Whencreatinganewparty,besuretoaddthenameofthepartyasitisreflectedonthecomplaint.ThestandardforcapitalizationintheMiddleDistrictofGeorgiaistoenterallnamesinALLCAPS.DONOTaddpartyaddresses,telephonenumbersore‐mailinformation.Iffilingonbehalfofaminor,enteronlytheminor’sinitials,nottheminor’sfullname.SeeFed.R.Civ.P.5.2(a)(3).Also,donotaddidentifyinginformation(e.g.“onbehalfof”or“intheirofficialcapacity”)inthesefields.Thisisinformationisforpartytext.SeeFigure2.4.YoumustidentifytheRoleoftheparty.TheRoletypedefaultstoDefendant.ItisimportanttoselecttheappropriateRoletypefromthedropdownmenuonthisscreen.SeeFigure2.4.
Figure2.4
Modify from Defendant to Plaintiff since Plaintiff is filing the complaint. Do not add or modify address, phone or e-mail fields. Identifying information such as “On behalf of” or “in their official capacity” must be entered in [Party text].
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Inthisexample(Figure2.4),therolewaschangedtoPlaintiff.ClickonthedropdownarrownexttotheRolefieldandselecttheappropriatepartyrole(e.g.,Plaintiff(pla:pty),Petitioner(pet:pty)).Donotaddormodifyaddressinformation.Donotchangethestartdate.SeeFigure2.5
Figure2.5Aftersearchingfor,selecting,andaddingafiler,thefiler'snameappearsintheparticipanttreeandisaddedtothepartypicklist(SeeFigure2.6).Youcaneither:
deletethepartybyclickingonthe "delete"icon, add an aliasby clickingon the "addalias" icon (donotadd corporateparentsas
corporateparentsareaddedat the time theCorporateDisclosureStatement is filed).NOTE:The icondoesnotappearby“Attorney”astheattorneycannotbeaddedatthispoint.Theattorneywillbeaddedduringdocketingofthecaseinitiatingdocument.SeeSectionIVfordetailedinstructionsforaddinganalias.
copyattorney(s)fromotherpartiesinthecasetoanotherpartybyclickingonthe “copyattorney”icon,
editthepartyinformationbyclickingonthe "edit"icon; addanewpartybyclickingontheAddNewPartybuttonatthetopleftofthescreen
(SeeFigure2.4).Whenanewpartyisadded,he/sheisaddedtothepartypicklistandtotheparticipanttreeintheleftpane.Partiesthatareaddedtocivilcasesduringdocketingwillhavecontroliconsintheparticipanttreesoyoucanaddaliases,corporateparents,orotheraffiliatesforthepartyduringthisprocess.NOTE:Therearenoiconcontrolsforexisting participants in the participant tree during docketing. If a new participant isadded during the docketing process, icon controls will be available for the newparticipantonly.Thetablebelowdescribesthefunctionalicons.
Figure2.6NOTE:Theparticipanttreeisdisplayedduringcaseopening,andduringdocketingifthescreenallowsyoutoadd,select,oreditacaseparticipant.
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Continueaddingpartiesfollowingsteps1thru6untilallpartiesareentered.Inthisexample,theplaintiff“LISASMITH”anddefendant“DELTAAIRLINES”havebeenadded.SeeFigure2.7.
Figure2.7
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IV.ADDINGANALIAS1.ClicktheAddAlias icon.SeeFigure3.1.
Figure3.12.SearchforanaliasbyenteringpartorallofthelastnameorbusinessnameusingthesamesearchtechniquesdiscussedunderAddingaParty(pg.11).Ifamatchisfound,highlightthename.ClickSelectAlias.Intheexamplebelow,asearchforDELTACREDITUNIONisbeingmade.DELTAwasenteredintheLast/BusinessNamefieldwhichyieldedtheresultsforallnameswithDELTAinthem.DELTACREDITUNIONisnotfoundinthesearchresult.ClickCreateNewAlias.SeeFigure3.2.
Figure3.2
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4.IdentifytheTypebyclickingonthedropdownarrownexttothefield.TheTypedefaultstoagent.Selectfromthelistbelowandclick[AddAlias].SeeFigure3.3.
agent=agentof,oneactsforanotheraka=alsoknownas
dba=doingbusinessasfdba=formerlydoingbusinessas
fka=formallyknownasnee=born(placedbeforeamarriedwoman’smaidenname)obo=onbehalfofother=analiasofarolenototherwiselisted
rpi=realpropertyininterestta=tradingas
Figure3.3TheAliasInformationforDELTACREDITUNIONnowappearsintheparticipanttree.SeeFigure3.4.
Figure3.4CorporateParentorotheraffiliate:DonotaddCorporateParentorotheraffiliate.CorporateParentsorOtherAffiliatesareaddedatthetimeoffilingtheCorporateDisclosureStatement.
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STOP!Ifyoudiscoverthereisanerrorintheinformationyouhaveentered,DONOTCLICKCREATECASE.ClicktheBACKbuttonatthetopofthescreentogobacktocorrectanyerrors.Ifyouclickcreatecase,thenrealizeyou’vemadeanerror,immediatelycontacttheappropriateClerk’sOfficebeforeinitiatinganothercaseopening.Onceallpartieshavebeenadded,clickCreateCase.SeeFigure3.5.
Figure3.5
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V.CASENUMBERASSIGNMENTANDDOCKETINGLEADEVENTAcasenumberwasautomaticallyassigned.Writedownorotherwisenotethecasenumberbeforecontinuing.Thecasenumberdisplayedwillshowonlytheyearandcivilcasenumber(e.g.“15‐11”).SeeFigure4.1.Thecasenumberwillnotdisplaythedivisioninwhichthecasewasfiled(“1”forAlbany;“3”forAthens;“4”forColumbus;“5”forMacon;or"7"forValdosta).
Figure4.1Eventhoughyourcasenumberhasbeenassigned,youarenotfinished.Youmust[DOCKETLEADEVENT]eventnowtocompletetheE‐FilingofaNewCase,otherwisethecaseyoujustopenedwillbeclosed.ThefinalstepinopeninganewcivilcaseistoDocketLeadEvent.Pleasepayspecialattentiontotheusermessageregardingerrorsincaseopening.Itisveryimportantthatyoudonotinitiateanothernewcaseonceyourealizethereisanerrorincaseopening.
DocketingLeadEvent1.ClickontheDocketLeadEvent?hyperlinktofileyourcomplaintorotherinitiatingdocument.ThishyperlinktakestheusertotheCaseInitiatingDocumentsscreen.SeeFigure4.2.2Selecttheapplicableinitiatingdocumenttype(e.g.,Complaint,NoticeofRemoval,etal.).Click[Next]tocontinue.Forthisexample,Complaintisselected.SeeFigure4.2.
Figure4.2
Write down or otherwise note the case number before
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3.Thesystemautomaticallydisplaysthecasenumberjustassigned.Notatethecasenumberbefore.Click[Next]tocontinue.SeeFigure4.3.
Figure4.34.ThescreeninFigure4.4mayappearwhentheCM/ECFdatabaseisformulatingdatainthebackground.Click[Next]tocontinue.
Figure4.45.Selectthepartyorpartiesfilingthecomplaint.Youmayselectmultiplepartiesbyholdingdownthe“Ctrl”keyonthekeyboardandusingthemousetohighlightmorethanonename.ClickCleartodeselectthepartyorparties.Click[Next]tocontinue.SeeFigure4.5.
Figure4.5
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6.Thenextscreenwillrequirethefilingattorneytoassociatethemselveswiththefilingparty.Thisensuresthatnoticeofelectronicfilingwillbeservedonthefilingattorneyforallpartiesindicated.Leavethecheckinthebox.BydoingthisthefilerisindicatingthatthispartyisbeingrepresentedbytheattorneycurrentlyloggedintoCM/ECFandfilingthisdocument.SeeFigure4.6.
Figure4.67.Selecttheparty(ies)thisfilingisagainst.Youmayselectmultiplepartiesbyholdingthe“Ctrl”keydownandclickingtohighlightmorethanonename.Iftherearemultipledefendants,thefilermaysimplyclickradiobuttonforAllDefendantsfromtheSelectaGrouplistontherightsideofthepartylisting.Thissavesscrollingthroughalargelistofnamestoidentifymultiplepartiesandguaranteesalldefendantsareselected.Whenalldefendantshavebeenselected,click[Next]tocontinue.SeeFigure4.7.
Figure4.7
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8.AttachtheMainDocument(caseinitiatingdocument).ClickBrowsetolocatethePDFthatisthecomplainttobefiled.SeeFigure4.8
Figure4.8Apop‐upboxwillappear.NavigatetotheappropriatefoldercontainingthePDFdocument(s)youwishtofile.Right‐clickonthedocumentandselecttheoptiontoopenthedocumentinAdobeAcrobat.Thisallowsyoutopreviewthedocumenttoensureyouhaveselectedthecorrectfile.Oncesubmitted,adocumentcannotbeedited.SeeFigure4.9.
Figure4.9
Choose “Open with Acrobat” to verify you have selected the correct document.
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AfterverifyingyouhaveselectedthecorrectPDFdocument,click[Open]toacceptthePDFforfiling.SeeFigure4.10.
Figure4.109.ThepathtotheFilename(seeFigure4.10)willappearintheMainDocumenttextfieldbox.SeeFigure4.11.SinceyouarerequiredtoattachadditionalPDFdocumentstotheinitiatingdocument(e.g.,civilcoversheetandsummonses).InRemovalcasesa copy of all process, pleadings, and orders served upon such defendant or defendants should be attached. ClickBrowseundertheAttachmentssectionofthescreentoaddthefirstattachment.NOTE:WhenopeningacaseusingComplaint(IFP),DONOTattachtheMotiontoProceedInFormaPauperis.Thismotionmustbefiledasaseparateevent.IftheisanewSocialSecurityAppeal,DONOTattachtheMotiontoProceedInFormaPauperisORtheConsentForm.Thesedocumentsmustbefiledastwoseparateindividualdocketentries.Filesizelimitperattachmentis15MB.SeeFigure4.11.
Figure4.11
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NOTE:TheusermustattachtheCivilCoverSheet(JS‐44),completedSummons(es)andanyexhibits.Summons(es)shouldbepreparedforeachdefendant,readyforissuancebytheClerk’sOffice,andincludedasthelastattachmentstothecomplaint.Whenthecourtperformsthequalityassurancereview,summonseswillbesenttothefilerelectronicallyviatheNoticeofElectronicFiling(NEF)bydocketingbytheClerk’sOffice.SummonsesandcivilcoversheetsareavailableinAdobePDFformatattheMiddleDistrictofGeorgia’swebsitehttp://www.gamd.uscourts.gov/formsunderForms&Guides.10.NavigatetotheappropriatefolderandselectthenextPDFdocumenttobeattached.Viewthedocumentbeforeattachingit.Afterattachingit,enteraCategoryand/oraDescriptionfortheattachmentusingtheCategoryandDescriptionfields.Intheexamplebelow,thefirstattachmentistheCivilCoverSheet.CivilCoverSheetshouldbeselectedfromthedropdownmenu.Whenattachingexhibits,adescriptionforeachexhibitmustbeincludedinthe[Description]box.Inthisexample,theuserisfilingaNoticeofRemoval.WhenfilingaNoticeofRemoval,attachdocument(s)filedinthecourtinwhichthecaseisbeingremoved(i.e.Complaint,servicedocuments,andAnswer).SelectRemovalDocumentsfromthedropdownmenu.EnteradescriptionoftheremovaldocumentsintheDescriptionfield.AdditionalrowswillbeaddedasneededtoattachthenextPDFdocument.Click[Browse]torepeattheprocessuntilallattachmentshavebeenadded.Whenalldocumentsareattached,click[Next]tocontinue.SeeFigure4.12.
Figure4.12DONOTCLICKTHEBACKBUTTONonceyouhaveattachedyourdocumentsandclicked[Next].Doingsowilltakeyoubacktothedocumentattachmentscreenandyouwillhavetoenterallofyourattachmentsagain.ThescreenremindingtheuserthatCorporateDisclosureStatementsmustbefiledasaseparateentryappears.SeeFigure4.13
Figure4.13
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Thebelowscreenappearsasthesystemiscompilingcaseopeninginformation.Click[Next]tocontinue.SeeFigure4.14.
Figure4.14Proceedtopaythefilingfee.
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VI.PAYINGTHEFILINGFEEDONOTCLICKYOURBROWSER’SBACKBUTTON.OnceyouclicktheSubmitPaymentbuttontocontinueyoumustNOTclickyourbrowser’sBACKbutton.Doingsowillcauseyourcreditcardtobebilledtwice.Whenpayingthefilingfeeinthetrainingdatabase,youcreditcardisnotdebited.Thefeewilldisplayinaccordancewiththeleadeventselected.Click[Next]toproceedtoPay.Gov.SeeFigure5.1.
Figure5.1Afterclickingthe[Next]buttonforthe$400filingfee,youwillseethescreenwhichstates,“NowLoadingthepaymentprocessingscreen.Thisprocessmighttakeafewseconds.”DONOTclickthe“backbutton”,asthismayleadtoincompletedatabeingtransmitted.ClickNexttocontinue.YouareroutedtothePACERloginscreen.EnteryourPACERPassword.ClickLogin.SeeFigure5.2.
Figure5.2
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SelectapaymentmethodinwhichyouhavestoredinyourPACERaccount.IfyoudonotwishtouseanyofthepaymentmethodsstoredinyourPACERaccount,selectEnteracreditcard.ClickNext.SeeFigure5.3.
Figure5.3
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IfyouselectoneofthepaymentmethodsyouhavestoredinyourPACERaccount,thefollowingscreenappears:
Figure5.4Verifytheemailaddressandaddanyadditionaladditionalemailaddresses.YoumustselecttheboxlocatedunderAuthorizationwhichstates“Iauthorizeachargetomycreditcardfortheamountaboveinaccordancewithmycardissueragreement.”ClickSubmit.SeeFigure5.4.
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IfyouchoosetoenterEnteraCreditCard,thefollowingscreenappears:
Figure5.5
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Enterallrequiredcreditcardinformationasnotatedwitharedasterisk*.ClickNext.SeeFigure5.5.NOTE:Afterpaymentofthefilingfee,youmustcontinuewiththedockettransactionuntilitscompletion.Failuretocontinuewillresultinthecreditcardbeingchargedwithnorecordofyourentryonthedocket.
VII.FINALDOCKETTEXTSCREENThefinaldockettextwillbedisplayed.***REMINDER***neverhitthebackbuttonorabortthefilingoftheleaddocumentonceyouhavecompletedthepaymentscreens.Ifyoutrytostartoveragainfilingtheleaddocument,yourcreditcardwillbebilledtwice.Completethetransactionbyclickingthe[Next]tocontinue.SeeFigure6.1.
Figure6.1
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VIII.NOTICEOFELECTRONICFILING(NEF)ANDJUDGEASSIGNMENTReviewtheNoticeofElectronicFiling.InadditiontoservingasnotificationthattheeventwasacceptedbyCM/ECFandprovidingdocumentfilinginformationandrelevanthyperlinks,theNEFindicateswhowillandwillnotreceivea“NoticeofElectronicFiling”viaemail.TheNEFalsoidentifiesthejudgeassignment.Thepresidingjudge’sinitialsappearattheendofthecasenumber,andthejudge’snameappearsintheJudgeAssignedsection.Inthisillustration,case5:15‐CV‐11‐CARwasrandomlyassignedtoCASHLEYROYAL(presiding).Seefigure7.1
Figure7.1
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IX.MISCELLANEOUSCASEOPENINGDOCUMENTSMiscellaneouscasefilingsincludeMotiontoQuash;OtherInitialPleading;RegistrationofForeignJudgment.Thesefilingswillbeenteredintoatemporarycasedependentuponthedivisionalofficeinwhichyouselect(“1”forAlbany;“3”forAthens;“4”forColumbus;“5”forMacon;or"7"forValdosta).OncetheClerk’sOfficereceiveselectronicnotificationofthemiscellaneousfiling,thecasewillbeopenedbytheClerk’sOfficeatwhichtimeyouwillreceiveelectronicnotificationofthepermanentcasenumberandthejudgeassigned.SeeFigure8.1
Figure8.1SelecttheappropriateeventfromtheAvailableEventlist.Intheexamplebelow,RegistrationofForeignJudgmentisbeingselected.SeeFigure8.2.
SeeFigure8.2Usermessageisdisplayedinstructingusertoentercasenumber17‐5000thenselecttheproperdivisiononthefollowingscreen.Click[Next]tocontinue.SeeFigure8.3.
Figure8.3
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Enter17‐5000.Click[FindthisCase].SeeFigure8.4.
Figure8.4SelecttheAppropriatedivision.Inthisexample,Maconisbeingselectedastheappropriatedivision.Click[Next]tocontinue.SeeFigure8.5.
Figure8.5Eventprocessingscreenappears.Click[Next]tocontinue.SeeFigure8.6.
Figure8.6
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Select[MainDocument]andanyattachments.SeeFigure8.7.PleaserefertoFigures4.8through4.12forinstructionsastohowtoaddthemaindocumentandanyadditionalattachments.
SeeFigure8.7EnterthetitleofcaseintheformofPlaintiffv.DefendantinALLCAPS.Click[Next]tocontinue.SeeFigure8.8.
Figure8.8Proceedtopaymentscreen.PleaserefertoSectionVIforinstructionsregardingpaymentoffilingfee.Oncefilingfeehasbeenpaid,theeventprocessingscreenappears.Click[Next]tocontinue.SeeFigure8.9.
Figure8.9
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Finaldockettextscreenappears.Click[Next]tocontinue.NOTE:ReceiptinformationdoesnotappearonthisscreenduetocasebeingcreatedinTrainingDatabase.SeeFigure8.10.
Figure8.10TheNoticeofElectronicFilingscreenisthefinalscreen.SeeFigure8.11.
8.11OncetheClerk’sOfficereceiveselectronicnotificationofthemiscellaneousfiling,thecasewillbeopenedbytheClerk’sOfficeatwhichtimeyouwillreceiveelectronicnotificationofthepermanentcasenumberandthejudgeassigned.
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X.SEALEDCASESSealedcasesmaynotbeopenedbyattorneysusing[AttorneyCaseOpening].Sealedcaseinitiatingdocumentsmayeitherbemailedtooremailedtotheappropriatedivisioninwhichthecaseisbeinginitiated.Thecaseinitiatingdocumentandanyattachments(i.e.civilcoversheet, summons(es), and exhibit(s))must be emailed as individual text‐searchable AdobeAcrobatPDFdocuments.EachexhibitmustbeanindividualAdobeAcrobatPDFdocumentandmustnotbecombinedasoneexhibit.Emailaddressesforeachdivisionareasfollows:
Albany–[email protected]–[email protected]–[email protected]–[email protected]–[email protected]
