HOFFMAN
v.
SMITH

M.D. Fla. | 2025-03-12
No. 2:24-CV-00111
2025 FFL 6261 District Court, M.D. Florida (2025)

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Synopsis

Pro se plaintiff Jerry L. Hoffman sought access to the Court's electronic filing system (CM/ECF). The District Court denied the motion, holding that pro se litigants are generally denied CM/ECF access absent extenuating circumstances, which Hoffman failed to demonstrate.


Holding

Pro se litigants are generally denied access to the Court's electronic filing system unless extenuating circumstances exist to justify such a waiver. Hoffman presented no extenuating circumstances and therefore was not entitled to CM/ECF access.


Key Quotes

“Pro se litigants are generally denied access to electronic filing unless extenuating circumstances exist to justify waiving CM/ECF procedures.”

Establishes the controlling legal standard for pro se CM/ECF access requests

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Facts & Procedural History

Jerry L. Hoffman, proceeding pro se, filed a motion for access to the Court's electronic filing system. No extenuating circumstances were shown or arg…

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Opinion of the Court

Pro se Plaintiff Jerry L. Hoffman moves for access to the Court's electronic filing system. (Doc. 50.) The motion is DENIED. “Pro se litigants are generally denied access to electronic filing unless extenuating circumstances exist to justify waiving CM/ECF procedures.” Huminski v. Vermont, No. 2:13-cv-692-FtM-29, 2014 WL 169848, *4 (M.D. Fla. Jan. 15, 2014); see also McMahon v. Cleveland Clinic Found. Police Dep't, 455 F. App'x 874, 878 (11th Cir. 2011) (affirming denial of CM/ECF access for pro se litigants). No extenuating circumstances have been shown (or even argued) here. To the extent Plaintiff believes electronic filing will help him access documents in the case, he can already submit materials electronically through the Web Portal on the Court's website: https://www.flmd. uscourts.gov/electronic-document-submission-web-portal.

ORDERED in Fort Myers, Florida this March 12, 2025.

Kyle C. Dudek United States Magistrate Judge


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