Clerk ’ s CORNER Technology continues to change and improve the traditional ways that legal professionals conduct business . Advancements in technology influence the way the legal community researches , organizes cases and attends court proceedings . One such advancement is the electronic filing of court documents , or e-filing . This process , introduced over a decade ago , is now the most common way for filers to submit documents to the court . In 2011 , the Florida Supreme Court mandated e-filing for attorneys . Now , approximately 2 million documents are filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal each month .
A litigant ’ s e-filed document follows a specific path . First , the document is received at the portal and time stamped . Next , the Clerk retrieves the document and either files the document into the case or places the document into the correction queue . If a document is placed into the correction queue , the litigant is notified that a correction is needed . Do not assume that all e-filed documents are on autopilot into the court record . For instance , a problem might arise if the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal sends a document to a correction queue because it fails to comply with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.520 . Similarly , the Sarasota Clerk ’ s Office will send a document to a correction queue if , among other things , there is an incorrect case style or non-compliance with the directives of a local administrative order .
“ The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do . The bad news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do .” – Ted Nelson
Don ’ t Keep Your Documents in Portal Purgatory
As a best practice , filers should always confirm receipt , acceptance and filing of any documents that they submit . The e-filing portal typically sends confirmation soon after a filer makes their submission . If the filer does not receive an email confirmation this indicates that there could be a problem . The email from the portal should state that the filing was accepted and reference a filing number . If a filer does not receive this email , it should prompt them to review the status of their filings on the portal . Successful filings are listed on the portal ’ s “ My Filings ” page . Filers should also receive a second email confirming that the Sarasota Clerk of Court accepted or rejected the electronic filing .
Legal professionals can track filings in a case by registering for ClerkNet . ClerkNet is a secure public records service offered by the Sarasota Clerk ’ s Office that allows free , online access to unsealed court case filings and daily court event dockets . Users who register for the ClerkNet service can subscribe to receive email notifications whenever a filing is added to a court case .
Additional resources about e-filing can be found on the Sarasota Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller ’ s website or on the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal website . As court requirements and expectations evolve with expanding technology , it is vital that legal professionals have methods to ensure that their documents are reaching the court record . �
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22 | THE DOCKET - JANUARY 2022