PACER links are based on the CM/ECF (Case Management/Electronic Case Filing) system, which actually contains the docket entries. PACER is just a web front end. So... maybe it's possible that the backend system was offline or swamped due to volume, and so PACER could get it's info and punted.
How do we know the links were live just moments before? I assumed they were dead from the start. It's not unusual to have some of the documents "dead," listed on the docket sheet but not available for download. I find it unusual that NO ITEM on the docket sheet is available for download, but I chalked that up to the parties failure to submit argument in electronic form in the first place, or the Judge being an ass in this case. This is the first time I tinkered in the ED of PA database, so I don't have a handle on whether or not this Court, or this judge, have handled the PACER availability differently in this specific case. If so, they should be publicly shamed.
I doubt there is any issue with "overload." Not that many people use PACER.
Complete docket, truncated at 60 characters ...
United States District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) CIVIL DOCKET FOR CASE #: 2:08-cv-04083-RBS
BERG v. OBAMA et al Assigned to: HONORABLE R. BARCLAY SURRICK Cause: 28:2201 Injunction Y SURRICK Date Filed: 08/21/2008 Jury Demand: Plaintiff Nature of Suit: 890 Other Statutory Actions Jurisdiction: U.S. Government Defendant
Date Filed # Docket Text 08/21/2008 1 COMPLAINT against all defendants ( Filing fee 08/21/2008 2 MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND FOR 08/21/2008 Summons 5 Issued; 4 Mailed to counsel and 1 For 08/21/2008 DEMAND for Trial by Jury by PHILIP J. BERG. (tj 08/22/2008 3 Minute Entry for TRO Hearing held before HONOR 08/22/2008 4 ORDER THAT UPON CONSIDERATION OF PLAINITFF'S M 08/22/2008 5 Acceptance of Service by U.S. Attorney Re: acc 09/02/2008 6 Praecipe for Reissuance of Summons by PHILIP J 09/03/2008 2 Original Alias Summons Issued as to DEFENDANT 09/09/2008 7 Affidavit of Service of BRANDON A. SNESKO re: 09/09/2008 8 MOTION to Expedite Discovery, Extensive Discov 09/11/2008 9 Reissuance of Summons for the FEC by PHILIP J. 09/11/2008 One Alias Summons Issued as to THE FEDERAL ELEC 09/15/2008 10 ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE BY PLAINTIF 09/18/2008 11 APPLICATION BY PAUL ANDREW MITCHELL FOR LEAVE 09/24/2008 12 MOTION to Dismiss filed by BARACK OBAMA, THE 09/29/2008 13 RESPONSE in Opposition re 12 MOTION to Dismis 10/06/2008 14 MOTION for Leave to File First Amended Compla 10/06/2008 15 MOTION for Protective Order Staying Discovery 10/07/2008 16 T.B. BRADLEY'S MOTION FOR APPLICATION TO INTE 10/07/2008 17 MOVANT T.B. BRADLEY'S MOTION TO APPEAR AS JAN 10/09/2008 18 RESPONSE in Opposition re 15 MOTION for Prote 10/15/2008 19 U.S. CITIZEN JUDSON WITHAM'S APPLICATION AND 10/20/2008 20 MOTION to Dismiss First Amended Complaint fil 10/20/2008 23 T.B. BRADLEY'S REQUEST FOR THE COURT TO TAKE 10/21/2008 21 MOTION for Order Deeming Requests for Admissi 10/21/2008 22 MOTION for Order Expediting Ruling on Plainti 10/21/2008 24 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction fi 10/21/2008 25 MOTION for Order Deeming Requests for Admissi 10/22/2008 26 MOTION for Order for Expedited Ruling, Hearin 10/22/2008 27 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by PHILIP J
PACER Service Center Transaction Receipt 10/26/2008 08:05:16 PACER Login: xxxxxx Client Code: Description: Docket Report Search Criteria: 2:08-cv-04083-RB Billable Pages: 2