The scope of the problem remains unclear. No specific courts, judges, or bar associations have issued formal complaints or enforcement actions. It is unknown whether the misuse stems from attorney confusion about filing rules, deliberate docket manipulation, or simple convenience. Different jurisdictions have different standards—some courts permit letters to judges through eFiling; others do not. The extent to which courts are addressing the issue through local rules or sanctions is not documented.
Attorneys should review their local eFiling rules carefully. Many jurisdictions now require eFiling for represented parties in civil cases, but that mandate typically covers pleadings, motions, and petitions requiring judicial notice or service—not routine correspondence. Filing non-essential documents wastes judicial resources, slows legitimate case activity, and risks sanctions or court orders limiting future filings. As eFiling becomes standard across U.S. courts, restraint in what gets submitted will preserve the efficiency gains the systems were designed to deliver.