District NextGen Information
NextGen FAQ's/Tips/Hints
NextGen News/Tips/Hints

FAQ's

How do I know if I have an upgraded PACER account?
Upgraded PACER accounts have usernames that are at least 8 characters. If your username is 6 characters, you do not have an upgraded account. Go to https://www.pacer.uscourts.gov/ and click on the account name in the upper right corner and then on Manage My Account to upgrade your PACER account.
 

  • What happens to my CM/ECF account after the court transitions to NextGen?
    After the court upgrades to NextGen, you will link your current CM/ECF account to your PACER account. After the accounts are linked you will no longer user your CM/ECF username or password.
     
  • My law firm uses a shared PACER account. Can we continue to use that account?
    Each attorney must have an individual/attorney PACER account for electronic filing in NextGen. The law firm can create a PACER Administrative Account (PAA) to manage the billing for all of the individual accounts. Staff members who share a PACER account only for research can continue to share.
     
  • I linked my account when the Court of Appeals converted.  Do I have to link my account again?
    Yes, you must now link your PACER account to your District Court CM/ECF account before you can file in District Court.
     
  • I am a CJA attorney and I currently have two PACER accounts. Will I continue to need two accounts with NextGen?
    CJA Attorneys will only need one PACER account for filing and viewing in CM/ECF NextGen. If you have a separate exempt CJA account now, those exempt privileges will be added to your individual/attorney upgraded PACER account and your current exempt account will be canceled. Contact the PACER help desk at pacer@psc.uscourts.gov and request that your CJA status for the District of Idaho be added to the upgraded PACER account.

My PDF Was Rejected, What Do I DO?

NextGen will automatically perform a PDF Check to evaluate PDF's as they are uploaded to ensure they meet validity and security requirements. The system scans all files before they are uploaded into CM/ECF and performs a check on the file size and file type. Any PDF larger than the maximum file size allowed will be rejected by the system.

The District of Idaho allows a maximum file size of 15MB for a PDF to be uploaded into CM/ECF.


How to Flatten a PDF

The simplest way to address most PDF upload rejections is to flatten the PDF and then upload it into CM/ECF. Those steps are as follows:

1. Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat or another tool.

2. Print the PDF file to your PDF printer (File>Print>select Adobe PDF or another PDF printer listed in the drop-down list).

3. Save the printed PDF and upload into CM/ECF.

NOTE: If using Nuance, it contains a flatten file feature which can be found by selecting Advanced Processing> Flatten File.


How To Remove JavaScript From a PDF

For appellate courts that are configured to allow audio and video attachments:

PDFs with attached audio and/or video often also have JavaScript added and will be rejected because the JavaScript can cause Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

To remove JavaScript from the file:

1. Open the PDF with attached audio/video file.

2. Go to File > Save as Other > Optimized PDF.

3. Click OK to pop up message about the attached file.

4. Click on Discard Object on the left bar.

5. Check Discard all JavaScript actions.

6. Click OK and save.