Opinion
CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:09cv793.
February 9, 2010
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff Arthur J. Bates, formerly an inmate confined at the Larry Gist State Jail, proceeding pro se, filed the above-styled civil rights lawsuit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
Discussion
The court previously entered an order directing plaintiff to either submit an application to proceed in forma pauperis or pay the filing fee. A copy of the order was mailed to plaintiff at the Larry Gist State Jail, the address provided to the court by plaintiff. The copy of the form sent to plaintiff was returned to the court with a notation indicating plaintiff has been released from confinement. Plaintiff has not provided the court with a new address.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) authorizes the district court to dismiss an action for want of prosecution sua sponte whenever necessary to achieve the orderly and expeditious disposition of cases. Anthony v. Marion County General Hospital, 617 F.2d 1164, 1167 (5th Cir. 1980). See also McCullough v. Lynaugh, 835 F.2d 1126 (5th Cir. 1988). The orderly and expeditious disposition of cases requires that if a litigant's address changes, he has a duty to inform the court of the change. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has said
It is neither feasible nor legally required that the clerks of the district courts undertake independently to maintain current addresses on all parties to pending actions. It is incumbent upon litigants to inform the court of address changes, for it is manifest that communications between the clerk and the parties or their counsel will be conducted principally by mail. In addition to keeping the clerk informed of any change of address, parties are obliged to make timely status inquiries. Address changes normally would be reflected by those inquiries if made in writing.Shannon v. State of Louisiana, 1988 WL 54768, No. 87-3951 (E.D. La. May 23, 1988) (quoting Perkins v. King, No. 84-3310 (5th Cir. May 19, 1985)); see also Carey v. King, 856 F.2d 1439, 1441 (9th Cir. 1988) (per curiam) (pro se plaintiff's case dismissed for failure to prosecute when he failed to keep the court apprised of his current address). The exercise of the power to dismiss for failure to prosecute is committed to the sound discretion of the court and appellate review is confined solely in whether the court's discretion was abused. Green v. Forney Engineering Co., 589 F.2d 243, 244 (5th Cir. 1979); Lopez v. Aransas County Independent School District, 570 F.2d 541, 544 (5th Cir. 1978).
By not providing the court with his correct address, plaintiff has prevented the court from communicating with him and moving this case towards resolution. He has therefore failed to diligently prosecute this case.
Conclusion
For the reasons set forth above, this case will be dismissed without prejudice for want of prosecution. An appropriate final judgment shall be entered. If plaintiff notifies the court of his new address within 30 days of the date set forth below, the court will vacate the judgement and reinstate this case on the court's active docket.