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This website was developed and is maintained by the Public Access and Records Management Division of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, which manages the electronic public access program for the Federal Judiciary. The mission of the program is to facilitate and improve electronic public access to court information at a reasonable cost, in accordance with legislative and Judiciary policies, security requirements, and user demands. The program office manages the development and maintenance of electronic public access systems in the Judiciary and, through the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) Service Center, provides centralized billing, registration, and technical support services for the Judiciary and the public. As mandated by Congress, the program is funded entirely through user fees set by the Judicial Conference. The fees are published in the Electronic Public Access Fee Schedule. In fiscal year 2008, the program generated fee revenue that was used to support ongoing program operations and the costs associated with the CM/ECF systems used by the federal courts throughout the country. Revenue was also used to finance other expenses related to electronic public access to the courts in areas such as courtroom technology and the Bankruptcy Noticing Center. The program reached a new milestone in registrations last year, surpassing 890,000 user accounts. Besides court staff, customers include members of the bar; city, state and federal employees; and the general public. In addition to collecting fees, support staff established over 130,000 new accounts, fielded more than 135,000 help desk calls, and responded to almost 30,000 support e-mails. These communications, if not handled by the PACER Service Center, would be directed to the courts. Currently, five courts are participating in a pilot program underway to make digital audio files of court hearings available to the public through PACER. The presiding judge determines which audio files are made available. In fiscal year 2008, approximately 7,400 audio files, consisting of 5,120 bankruptcy hearings, 160 civil hearings, and 2,120 criminal hearings, were made available. Of these, 4,500 audio files were accessed in addition to the copies given to parties in the case free of charge. Litigants, attorneys, and the media have all been active users and the level of public interest is high. In fiscal year 2009, an assessment of the programs services will be conducted to identify potential enhancements to existing services and new electronic public access services. The assessment will include conducting focus groups with various users, including representatives from the courts, the media, litigants, attorneys, researchers, and bulk data collectors. Michel Ishakian Chief, Public Access and Records Management Division Ted Willmann PACER Service Center Manager For more information about the United States Courts see www.uscourts.gov. |
