You are here

FAQs: cmecf

  • SCANNING DOCUMENTS

    Scanning is admittedly the most cumbersome and error prone part of the CM/ECF filing process. Scanning results in larger file sizes than documents converted directly to PDF and larger files are more time consuming to upload to and download from the CM/ECF system. In instances where the document is already available in electronic format, scanning should be avoided unless absolutely necessary (for instance, to show signatures on an affidavit, etc.). However, when it is necessary to scan a document:
      • Select the lowest dots per inch (dpi) setting that results in a clear and legible document. Most documents are highly legible at 150 dpi; the dpi of many documents can
        be reduced even further. Scanning documents at 300 dpi typically doubles the file size while displaying minimal, if any, improvement in readability.
      • Select scanning in black & white for straight text documents and gray scale for documents with tones. Avoid selecting color when scanning unless absolutely necessary.
        Selecting color for a standard black and white typed document increases the file size tremendously.
      • Do not use OCR (optical character recognition) when scanning documents to be filed electronically. OCR is used to scan documents for future editing. Documents to be
        filed should already be in final form and should not require OCR. Be aware that even the best OCR programs only claim to be 95% accurate. Since a typical page contains
        300+ words, OCR is likely to introduce 15 or more errors per page. Instead, scan your documents as if you were creating a mere photocopy by not using OCR.
      • Provide staff with as much training as possible in the use of the scanner and scanning software. Use of scanners and scanning software is relatively new. Most law firm
        staff are likely to be unfamiliar with the process. Among the comments the Court help desk hears with some frequency from law firm staff is the need for assistance
        or training in how to scan documents.

  • DOCUMENTS WHICH SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AS SEPARATE ATTACHMENTS

    Occasionally, documents are submitted in a single file when they should more properly be broken up into their component parts (motion, brief, separate attachments, etc.) prior to filing for ease of use by others. Even though the documents are in separate files, they can be submitted as a single transmission by the filer. See paragraph 14 of the Electronic Filing Policies and Procedures Manual for further details.

  • DOCUMENTS MISSING CAPTIONS

    Occasionally, documents are submitted without case captions. Documents submitted electronically should have the same formatting as if the document had been submitted on paper. It should contain the court name, case name, case number, Judge, and title of the document, etc. See Local Rule 10.1 for details.

  • FILING PRAECIPES

    The filer should electronically file the praecipe and attach the document(s) they want the Clerk of Court to issue. Then the clerk's office will extract and issue the documents and mail them to the filer. The clerk's office will also modify the praecipe docket text to reflect that document(s) was issued and indicate the date of issuance. (Example: Alias summonses issued on 10/13/00).

  • EMERGENCY FILINGS/TROs

    If you make an emergency filing, such as a motion for a temporary restraining order that requires immediate attention, you should also call chambers by phone to notify them that the matter requires immediate attention. Failure to do so could result in your filing not receiving immediate attention.

  • RESPONSES

    E-mail notices of electronic filings are automatically created by the computer and sent from a special computer e-mail account, not from an individual at the Court. Therefore, responding or sending e-mail to the address from which the notice was sent is futile. We have discovered, long after the fact, instances where attorneys have responded to the computer account with comments on the judges rulings, with questions of importance and with files that they had forgotten to attach to their original filings. Also note that replying directly to the notice of electronic filing does not send a message to the other recipients of the notice. If you need to contact the Court by e-mail, please ensure that your message is addressed to a specific individual, not to the computer generated account. The best method of ensuring timely response to queries is to contact the Court by phone.

  • SECURE SOCKET LAYERS (PORT 443 MUST BE OPEN)

    In networked situations we have had several occurrences where an attorney's machine locks up at the login screen. If the symptom is that you get the login screen, fill it out and the system hangs after hitting the submit button, then your network might be blocking Secure Socket Layer (SSL) port 443 (that's the point where CM/ECF transitions from web port 80 to SSL port 443). Contact the system people at your firm and ask them to check if any of your routers or firewalls are blocking this port. Please note that at firms with multiple routers or firewalls, some attorneys may experience this problem while others within the same firm, connected to a different router or firewall that does not block that port, may be able to connect without a problem. Thus your network staff should check all routers and firewalls that you may be connected to within your firm.

  • SYSTEM PROBLEMS

    If your system hangs, or you are prevented from logging in, you may need to: clear out files the system places in your /windows/temp directory, the cookies.txt and cache in the users Netscape profile, reboot, and the system should return to normal. The CM/ECF application is creating files called nsform??.tmp in a computers /windows/tmp directory. On NT it would be in the users profiles directory. On Win2K its in /documents and settings/username/local settings/temp. (They are java coded forms.) The ?? is a number and/or character value. The files are created and unique ?? identifiers are given. Once the system runs out of letter number combinations (36 x 36 possible), it cannot create more nsform?? files and the system hangs. CM/ECF creates these files, but does not delete them. Removing only the nsform??.txt files from /windows/temp will fix the problem without bothering the Netscape cookies.txt or cache.

    IMPORTANT NOTICE TO AOL USERS:
    When you upgrade to AOL version 9.0, the AOL installation routine may reset your Anti-Spam preferences, which may prevent you from receiving notices of electronic filing and other ECF-related e-mails from the Court. CM/ECF users who use (or plan to upgrade) to AOL 9.0 should verify that ohndecf@ohnd.uscourts.gov is listed in your AOL address book, so that ECF-related e-mails are not blocked from reaching your AOL account. Also note, however, that you should never send e-mail to ohndecf@ohnd.uscourts.gov since the Court does not accept e-mail sent to that account.

Pages