PACER is an embarrassment and a scandal that has long operated in plain sight. Even if it was free, it would still suck. But it is a horrible, outdated piece of ■■■■■
And, of course, the Judiciary has been using the excessive fees they charge to create a slush fund that allows them to buy electronics and other goodies that Congress won’t appropriate for them. The law that created PACER only permits the Judiciary to charge enough to cover the cost of running PACER, but they have long ignored that requirement.
They have been forced into a major settlement and have had to give back much of that slush fund money.
However, Congress still needs to mandate a FREE system, both for searching and accessing court documents at all stages of proceedings.
And henceforth, the Judiciary should be required to pay ALL money received from any source, including filing fees, into the general treasury and should be required to operate solely on appropriated funds. No more non appropriated ■■■■■■■■■
