Benz v. Feldmeier, et al.

ORDER - 1
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF IDAHO
FREDERICK RICHARD BENZ,
Plaintiff,
v.
RYAN FELDMEIER; DREW
SHARKEY; J. DANIEL; JACE
SHIRRMACHER; OFFICER MIKE
PILLA; CORPORAL TAYLOR AJA;
SERGEANT ROGERS; OFFICER
DANIEL JAMES; IDAHO STATE
POLICE; CITY OF MERIDIAN; and
DOES 1-20,
Defendants.
Case No. 1:25-cv-00628-BLW
MEMORANDUM DECISION &
ORDER
Before the Court is Plaintiff Frederick Richard Benz’s Renewed Motion for
Leave to File and Receive Documents Electronically. Dkt. 20. Plaintiff is
proceeding pro se. No defendant has responded to the motion.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5(d)(3)(B) allows a person not represented
by an attorney to file and sign documents electronically if allowed by court order
or local rule. While an unrepresented individual may obtain the Court’s permission
to file submissions electronically using the CM/ECF system, such authorization is
typically denied unless the pro se party makes a showing of good cause or
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ORDER - 2
extenuating circumstances justifying such relief. See, e.g., McMahon v. Cleveland
Clinic Found. Police Dep’t, 455 F. App’x 874, 878 (11th Cir. 2011); Heiney v.
Moore, 2021 WL 5396058, at *2–3 (N.D. Ohio Nov. 18, 2021).
In this case, Plaintiff previously sought leave to file electronically, and the
Court denied that request without prejudice pending either proper in forma
pauperis status or payment of the civil filing fee. Plaintiff now represents—and the
docket confirms—that he has paid the full civil filing fee and that this matter is
proceeding as a paid civil case. Plaintiff further represents that he has reliable
access to a computer, internet service, and email, and that he is capable of
complying with the Court’s CM/ECF requirements.
The Court finds that, consistent with the command of Rule 1, granting the
motion is appropriate to reduce cost and delay and to promote the efficient
administration of this case. Accordingly, the Court will grant Plaintiff’s request,
subject to compliance with all applicable rules and procedures governing electronic
filing. See Dist. Idaho L. Civ. Rule 5.1(f).
Accordingly,
IT IS ORDERED that:
1. Plaintiff’s Renewed Motion for Leave to File and Receive Documents
Electronically (Dkt. 20) is GRANTED.
2. Plaintiff must comply with all policies applicable to CM/ECF users under
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ORDER - 3
Local Civil Rule 5.1 and the Electronic Case Filing Procedures.1
DATED: January 23, 2026
_________________________
B. Lynn Winmill
United States District Judge
1 The following webpage contains links to training resources:
https://id.uscourts.gov/district/ecf/Filing_in_ECF.cfm
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