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Devlin v. Francis

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
Oct 9, 2013
No. 2:13-cv-1288 TLN KJN PS (E.D. Cal. Oct. 9, 2013)

Opinion

No. 2:13-cv-1288 TLN KJN PS

2013-10-09

DANIEL DEVLIN, Plaintiff, v. HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS, Defendant.


ORDER

Plaintiff, who is proceeding without counsel and in forma pauperis, filed his complaint on June 27, 2013. (ECF Nos. 1-2.) The undersigned previously granted plaintiff's application to proceed in forma pauperis but dismissed his complaint without prejudice pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B), and gave plaintiff leave to file an amended pleading within 45 days. (ECF No. 3.)

This case proceeds before the undersigned pursuant to Eastern District of California Local Rule 302(c)(21) and 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1).

It has been more than 45 days since the deadline for plaintiff to file an amended pleading pursuant to the undersigned's order of July 26, 2013. (ECF No. 3.) To date, plaintiff has not filed an amended complaint.

The court is inclined to recommend, on its own motion, the dismissal of plaintiff's action with prejudice pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) for failure to prosecute, failure to comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and failure to comply with this court's order of July 26, 2013, which is incorporated in full herein (ECF No. 3). Eastern District Local Rule 110 provides that "[f]ailure of counsel or of a party to comply with these Rules or with any order of the Court may be grounds for imposition by the Court of any and all sanctions authorized by statute or Rule or within the inherent power of the Court." Moreover, Eastern District Local Rule 183(a) provides, in part:

Any individual representing himself or herself without an attorney is bound by the Federal Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure, these Rules, and all other applicable law. All obligations placed on "counsel" by these Rules apply to individuals appearing in propria persona. Failure to comply therewith may be ground for dismissal . . . or any other sanction appropriate under these Rules.
See also King v. Atiyeh, 814 F.2d 565, 567 (9th Cir. 1987) ("Pro se litigants must follow the same rules of procedure that govern other litigants."). Case law is in accord that a district court may impose sanctions, including involuntary dismissal of a plaintiff's case with prejudice pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b), where that plaintiff fails to prosecute his or her case or fails to comply with the court's orders. See Chambers v. NASCO, Inc., 501 U.S. 32, 44 (1991) (recognizing that a court "may act sua sponte to dismiss a suit for failure to prosecute"); Hells Canyon Preservation Council v. U.S. Forest Serv., 403 F.3d 683, 689 (9th Cir. 2005) (stating that courts may dismiss an action pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) sua sponte for a plaintiff's failure to prosecute or comply with the rules of civil procedure or the court's orders); Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258, 1260 (9th Cir. 1992) ("Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b), the district court may dismiss an action for failure to comply with any order of the court."), cert. denied, 506 U.S. 915 (1992); Thompson v. Housing Auth. of City of L.A., 782 F.2d 829, 831 (9th Cir. 1986) (per curiam) (stating that district courts have inherent power to control their dockets and may impose sanctions including dismissal), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 829 (1986).

Based on the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff shall show cause in writing, no later than November 30, 2013 , why this case should not be dismissed for plaintiff's failure to prosecute the action and failure to follow the court's order of July 26, 2013 (ECF No. 3).

2. On or before November 30, 2013 , plaintiff shall also file an amended complaint that addresses the issues raised in the court's screening order entered on July 26, 2013 (ECF No. 3), and which fully complies with all aspects of that order.

3. Plaintiff's failure to file the required writing and amended complaint shall constitute an additional ground for, and plaintiff's consent to, the imposition of appropriate sanctions, including a recommendation that plaintiff's case be involuntarily dismissed with prejudice pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) and Local Rules 110 and 183(a).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

________

KENDALL J. NEWMAN

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE


Summaries of

Devlin v. Francis

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
Oct 9, 2013
No. 2:13-cv-1288 TLN KJN PS (E.D. Cal. Oct. 9, 2013)
Case details for

Devlin v. Francis

Case Details

Full title:DANIEL DEVLIN, Plaintiff, v. HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS, Defendant.

Court:UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Date published: Oct 9, 2013

Citations

No. 2:13-cv-1288 TLN KJN PS (E.D. Cal. Oct. 9, 2013)