Government’s PACER Fees Are Too High, Federal Circuit Says
The entire Federal Judiciary runs on a budget of about $8-$8.5 billion&#x2F;year.[1] Think about that for a moment. One of the three co-equal branches of the US Government, and guardian of the US Constitution, operates on a budget of less than 1% of the Department of Defense&#x27;s budget ($1.15 trillion), 10% of the Department of Homeland Security&#x27;s ($91.6 billion), and 20% of the Department of Justice&#x27;s ($42.3 billion).[2]<p>One of the reasons for PACER fees (and other court costs) is the Judiciary&#x27;s attempt to have some financial autonomy from Congress, even though it clearly depends on Congress for almost all of its annual budget.<p>As others have stated, you can get case law for free elsewhere. You do need to access PACER for docket material, however. But there&#x27;s even a fee exemption for &quot;indigents, pro bono attorneys, academic researchers, and non-profit organizations.&quot;[3]<p>[1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.uscourts.gov&#x2F;about-federal-courts&#x2F;governance-judicial-conference&#x2F;congressional-budget-request" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.uscourts.gov&#x2F;about-federal-courts&#x2F;governance-jud...</a>
[2] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.usaspending.gov&#x2F;#&#x2F;explorer&#x2F;agency" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.usaspending.gov&#x2F;#&#x2F;explorer&#x2F;agency</a>
[3] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;pacer.uscourts.gov&#x2F;pricing-how-pacer-fees-work" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;pacer.uscourts.gov&#x2F;pricing-how-pacer-fees-work</a>