Federal court records belong to the public but PACER charges high fees to access them. This paywall blocks many people, especially those with low incomes, from understanding the justice system. EFF and other groups are pushing to make these records free and open.
Court records are public documents created by government employees. Yet the PACER system requires users to pay fees for searching and viewing federal filings. These costs create a real barrier that stops many citizens from seeing how their courts work.
Low income individuals face the biggest challenges. They cannot afford the fees to research cases or learn about legal processes that affect their lives. This lack of access limits public oversight of the justice system and reduces trust in government institutions.
EFF has joined a wide coalition of organizations to support the Open Courts Act. The goal is to end these fees and provide free access to all court records. This change would promote transparency and allow everyone to stay informed about public servants.
Original Author: Joe Mullin | Source: EFF
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