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Filing Without an Attorney (Non-Prisoner Pro Se)

If you are representing yourself without the benefit of an attorney, you are known as a pro se litigant. "Pro Se" is a Latin term meaning "for yourself." As a pro se litigant, you enjoy every right entitled to you under the law. Pro se litigants are expected to follow and abide by the rules that govern the practice of law in the Federal Courts.

Civil Cases filed by non-prisoners


NEW  Electronic Document Submission System (EDSS) is a service that may be used by self-represented parties who need to file documents with the court as an alternative to mailing or bringing the documents to the courthouse. Documents will be processed by the next business day. New cases cannot be processed in EDSS and must be mailed or brought to the courthouse. Please read the Administrative Procedures and the User Manual for EDSS prior to using.


Pro se litigants should be familiar with the following laws and procedures:


Free fillable forms

 

General information

 

Frequently asked questions

   

The Clerk’s Office cannot render any type of legal advice to any parties filing suits in this or any other court. The Clerk’s Office will provide general assistance with the filing of necessary papers and pleadings, but under no circumstances can we give any type of legal advice as to what should or should not be done in regards to the prosecution or defense in a civil action or how it should be done. Such legal action by the Clerk’s Office is strictly prohibited.

Pro Se litigants are reminded that litigation in the federal courts is a complex process. It is the responsibility of the litigants to follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules. The Clerk’s Office cannot assume this responsibility for any litigants.