WEBB
v.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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Pro se plaintiff Webb sought access to the court's electronic filing system (CM/ECF) in a case against the Florida Department of Education. The magistrate judge denied the motion, holding that the plaintiff failed to demonstrate that electronic filing access was necessary to avoid unreasonable burdens, and that alternative paper filing methods remain available.
The court held that the plaintiff failed to establish entitlement to an exemption from the general rule requiring pro se litigants to file paper documents. The discontinuation of the web portal does not constitute a legal barrier to participation where alternative filing methods through mail or hand delivery remain available.
[1] A pro se litigant seeking electronic filing system access must demonstrate that an exemption to the general rule is necessary to avoid unreasonable burdens and to promote…
[2] The discontinuation of a district court's web portal does not constitute a legal barrier to participation in the court's filing system, as documents may still be filed by…
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“a pro se litigant seeking CM/ECF access must "demonstrate[ ] that an exemption [to the general rule] is necessary to avoid unreasonable burdens and to promote access to information"”
Establishes the legal standard for obtaining electronic filing access as a pro se litigant
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligencePlaintiff Jeremiah Vernon Webb is proceeding pro se in this case against the Florida Department of Education. He requested access to the court's elect…
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Pro se plaintiff Jeremiah Vernon Webb requests access to the court's electronic filing system. (Doc. 13). Despite the cessation of this District's web portal and the plaintiffs alleged indigency, the plaintiff still fails to establish that he is entitled to an exemption to the general rule that pro se litigants must file paper documents with the court. See Ogilvie v. Millsaps, 2015 WL 6688343, at *1 (M.D. Fla. Oct. 30, 2015) (observing that a pro se litigant seeking CM/ECF access must “demonstrate[] that an exemption [to the general rule] is necessary to avoid unreasonable burdens and to promote access to information"). As another order in this District recently explained, the discontinuation of the web portal “does not constitute a legal barrier to participation" given that a litigant may still “file documents through the mail
or by hand delivery to the clerk's office.” Sheets v. Pribble, 2025 WL 2106679, at *1 (M.D. Fla. July 28, 2025). In addition, the plaintiffs application to proceed in forma pauperis remains pending. (Docs. 2, 7).
Accordingly, the plaintiffs Motion for Electronic Filing Access (Doc. 17) is DENIED. The plaintiff may mail hard copies of his filings to the Clerk of the Court or submit them in person at the courthouse.
ORDERED in Tampa, Florida, on September 16, 2025.
Amanda Arnold Samone AMANDA ARNOLD SANSONE United States Magistrate Judge