Do you want to easily look up cases on PACER using your smartphone? The iPhone PACER app FedCtRecords is free for a limited time during the holidays. The app usually sells for $19.99.
The application was developed by Newton Oldfather, a recent graduate of UCLA Law. He coded the app with the assistance of his father and a friend.
The app helps remove some of the frustrations of working with PACER, including dealing with its clunky interface.
As outlined by iPhone J.D., some of the features include:
- You can search PACER using traditional methods including docket number and party name.
- You log in using your existing PACER account and are prompted to accept charges when necessary.
- Files appear as a PDF within the FedCtRecords interface.
- PDF documents can be emailed to any address.
- You can save certain cases into a section dubbed "My Cases." This way, you don't need to pull up docket numbers again. Cases filed in "My Cases" are bookmarked so all you need to do is tap on the case name in the future.
Think about all those times you're sitting outside a courtroom, waiting to go in. It takes time to power up a laptop. Why not just use your phone for some simple searching?
Reading long PDF files on the iPhone may not be pleasant, granted. But the email function makes it easy to just forward documents on so you can read them on your laptop or work computer.
There are a few caveats to FedCtRecords. It's not formatted for the iPad, and bankruptcy files aren't up for review. But beyond that, the PACER app seems quite handy. Just remember to pick it up for free before the price shoots up.
Related Resources:
- Pacer App Developed by UCLA Law Grad Is Free for the Holidays (ABA Journal)
- Top 5 iPhone Apps for Lawyers on the Go (FindLaw's Technologist)
- GoodReader, iPad Document Readers: Must-Have Apps for Lawyers (FindLaw's Technologist)
- Three Top Smartphone Apps for Legal Research (FindLaw's Technologist)
