Southern District of Florida – Accessing PSI Reports in CM/ECF – FAQs
ATTENTION: To avoid unnecessary PACER fees related to presentence investigation/plea and sentencing (PSI) reports in CMECF:
(1) Do NOT click on the link contained in the NEF until AFTER you are logged into CM/ECF.
(2) ONLY click on the link sent to the attorney’s PRIMARY email address (not a secondary email address).
FAQs – Accessing PSI Reports in CM/ECF
Q: Why didn’t I get my “one free look” when I was trying to view a PSI report?
A: PSI reports are restricted documents and only select attorneys designated by Probation may view PSI reports. If you are an authorized user, you must log into CM/ECF BEFORE you click on the link contained in the NEF. Your CM/ECF log-in will verify whether you have been granted permission to view the document. See instructions for logging into CM/ECF prior to accessing PSI reports.
Q: How do I log into CM/ECF to view PSI reports and avoid unnecessary PACER fees?
Attention: Do not click on the link in the NEF, until AFTER you are logged into CM/ECF.
A: First, use your court issued login and password to login to CM/ECF. Why is this required?
BEFORE clicking on the link in the NEF, you MUST log into CM/ECF using your CM/ECF log-in and password (the login/password used to electronically file documents in FLSD).
Your CM/ECF login will verify whether you have access to view the PSI report. Any attempt to view the PSI report before logging into CM/ECF may result in the loss of your “one free look.” For more information on PACER fees, refer to www.pacer.gov/.
All attorneys do NOT have access to view PSI reports in CM/ECF. PSI reports are RESTRICTED documents only accessible to select attorneys as determined by Probation.
Second, click on the link sent to the attorney’s PRIMARY email address (not a secondary email address).
You MUST access the link in the NEF sent to the attorney’s PRIMARY email address and NOT a secondary email address used by others to monitor NEFs. The link in the NEF will NOT open if accessed from a secondary email address.
Third, when you click on the PDF document link, the system may ask for your PACER log-in and password, if you have not previously set a Default PACER account to bridge the CM/ECF & PACER Systems.
Only authorized users can view PSI Reports. The system MUST first verify that you are an authorized user which is done when you first log into CM/ECF. Because PACER is the service that actually allows you to view the document, when you click on the document link, it will ask for your PACER log-in and password.
Q: Why can’t my assistant view the PSI even though I am an authorized user?
A: The link in the NEF will only open if accessed from the attorney’s PRIMARY email address. The link will not open if accessed from a secondary email address used to monitor NEFs.
Q: If I received the NEF, shouldn’t I be able to view the image?
A: All attorneys do not have access to view PSI reports in CM/ECF. PSI reports are restricted documents, only accessible to select attorneys as determined by Probation. If you are authorized to view PSI reports, see the instructions for logging into CM/ECF prior to viewing PSI reports.
A: Contact Probation at 305-523-5373 or 305-523-5378.
Q: Who do I contact if I am having difficultly logging into CM/ECF to view a PSI report?
A: Contact the Clerk’s Office CM/ECF Help Desk at 1-888-318-2260.