Local Rule LR 11.1: PERSONS APPEARING PRO SE IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES
M.D.N.C. — General rule
LR 11.1 PERSONS APPEARING PRO SE IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES
(a) Rules Governing Appearance. Any individual who is representing himself or herself without an attorney (pro se) must appear personally when required and may not delegate that duty to any other individual, including husband or wife, or any other pro se party. Any individual representing himself or herself without an attorney is bound by the Federal Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure, this Court's Local Rules, and all other applicable law. All obligations placed on "counsel" by this Court's Local Rules apply to individuals appearing pro se. Failure to comply may be grounds for dismissal, judgment by default, or any other appropriate sanction. A corporation or other entity may appear only through an attorney.
(b) Address Changes. A party appearing pro se shall keep the Court and opposing parties advised as to his or her current address. If mail directed to a pro se plaintiff from the Clerk is returned by the U.S. Postal Service, and if such plaintiff fails to notify the Court and opposing parties within sixty-three (63) days thereafter of a current address, the Court may dismiss the action without prejudice for failure to prosecute.
(c) Pro Se Party Exceptions to Electronic Filing. Pro se parties are exempted from the requirement of filing documents electronically. Pro se parties must file documents in person at the Clerk's Office or by mail, and any person appearing pro se may use electronic filing only with the permission of the assigned Judge. See LR 5.3(c)(2).