In response to recent cyber-attacks directed at public and private sector computer systems, including attacks directed at the judiciary, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri (EDMO) will be taking additional steps related to our case management system.

Effective 12:00 am on August 18, 2025, the following changes will be made to the EDMO CM/ECF filing procedures for criminal cases:

Sealed documents deemed by counsel to be highly sensitive, will no longer be filed into the CM/ECF system. Instead of placement in CM/ECF, these documents will be provided to the Clerk’s Office in paper form only. CM/ECF will continue to be used for all other criminal case documents.

Documents that contain any identifying information regarding cooperating individuals or victims, references to 5K1.1 substantial assistance motions or Rule 35(b) post-sentencing cooperation motions, any references to grand jury witnesses, or any documents in cases related to national security interests should be filed in paper at the Clerk’s Office.

To proceed in this manner, bring two copies of the document to the Clerk’s Office during business hours. The Clerk’s Office will receive stamp both copies and return one copy to you for service and for your records. With this method, the document will be considered filed once it is received and stamped by the Clerk’s Office. Deviations from these procedures may be approved by leave of the Court.

ATTENTION: The filing attorney must provide service on other parties for the aforementioned- document types. Copies will not be distributed through CM/ECF.

Removal of Sealed Filings from Closed Criminal Cases

Particularly sensitive sealed filings may be removed from CM/ECF by filing a motion or at the direction of the Court.

Civil Cases

Currently, there is no change to how CM/ECF is functioning or any filing processes for civil cases. Civil litigants are reminded of the Court’s Local Rule 13.05 and the process for filing Highly Sensitive Documents.