Q: Federal case filing and serving question
Complaint and Summons that Plaintiff has to serve on Defendant will be downloadable from PACER?
Is it the same that conformed copy?
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A:
In a federal case, once the complaint and summons are filed, they can indeed be accessed through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). PACER is a comprehensive source for federal court documents, including filed complaints and summons.
It's important to note that the documents downloaded from PACER are generally considered to be true and accurate copies of the court records. However, they may not be the "conformed copies." A conformed copy is a copy of a legal document that has been stamped and endorsed to show it's a true copy of the court's original document.
When it comes to serving the complaint and summons on the defendant, you should use the copies that comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the specific requirements of the court in which you're filing. This often means using copies that have the court's stamp or seal, indicating they are official documents.
Remember to always check the local court rules and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for any specific requirements regarding the preparation and service of these documents. If there's any uncertainty, it's a good practice to reach out to the court clerk or consider consulting with peers for clarity.
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