GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 21, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan will launch a national model program, Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF), on Oct. 1, 2001.
The Western District of Michigan is part of an alpha-court model program. Only three courts in the country have been selected to participate in the alpha-court program. The Western District is the only court in the country launching the program for all civil cases.
"Our district has the distinct reputation of innovation in technology across the country," said U.S. District Judge David W. McKeague. "There are two other programs also getting started, one in the Northern District of California and one in Washington D.C., yet we are the only one launching a full civil electronic filing model -- allowing attorneys to file documents electronically in all civil cases. The other courts allow electronic filing in only certain cases."
The program will save time and money in the handling of civil cases. Attorneys create documents on their own computers, just as they do now. They then deliver them electronically. The system gives immediate notice by e-mail to all other attorneys, who can access the text of the document electronically. CM/ECF provides attorneys access over the Internet to up-to-the-second docket sheets, as well as immediate notification that the court has issued an order.
Attorneys and their staff will be trained on the system on the following dates:
Grand Rapids - Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 10:30 a.m. in Judge Hillman's Courtroom
Lansing - Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 1:30 p.m. in Judge McKeague's Courtroom
Marquette - Thursday, Sept. 27 at 1:00 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Courtroom
Kalamazoo - Friday, Sept. 28 at 10:30 a.m. in the Jury Assembly Room (Basement level)
The Court strongly encourages electronic filing in all civil cases. Attorneys are encouraged to visit the Court's Website, www.miwd.uscourts.gov, for more information, including equipment requirements. A help desk has been created to assist attorneys and staff as the program is implemented. The help desk can be contacted at (616) 456-2206 (weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or by e-mail at ecfhelp@miwd.uscourts.gov.
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CONTACT: Western District Court
Ronald C. Weston, Sr., Clerk of Court
(616) 456-2360