Opinion
1:20-cv-01269-HBK (PC)
05-22-2023
PABLO CHAVEZ, Plaintiff, v. RAMIREZ, et al., Defendants.
ORDER DIRECTING CLERK TO ASSIGN ACTION TO DISTRICT JUDGE
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO DISMISS ACTION FOR A FAILURE TO OBEY COURT ORDERS AND FOR A FAILURE TO PROSECUTE
14-DAY DEADLINE
HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Plaintiff Pablo Chavez is a former state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action. For the reasons set forth below, the undersigned recommends the District Court dismiss this action for Plaintiff's failure to comply with a court order and prosecute this action.
It appears from Plaintiff s change of address that he is no longer incarcerated. (Doc. No. 4).
BACKGROUND
Plaintiff's Complaint identified ten defendants and concern events that took place while Plaintiff was incarcerated in the Kings County Jail. (Doc. No. 1 at 2-4). According to the Complaint, Plaintiff fell while showering in a handicap stall and injured his back. (Id. at 5). Plaintiff acknowledges he received medical care but claims defendants were negligent for not having anti-skid shower mats in the shower. (Id.). On April 17, 2023, the Court issued a screening order pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A finding the Complaint failed to state a cognizable claim against any of the named Defendants. (See generally Doc. 11). Plaintiff was given three options to exercise within twenty-one (21) days of the April 17, 2023 Order: (1) file a First Amended Complaint (“FAC”); (2) file a notice that he intends to stand on his initial complaint subject to the undersigned recommending the district court dismiss for reasons stated in the April 17, 2023 Screening Order; or (3) file a notice to voluntarily dismiss this action, without prejudice, under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1) because no defendant had yet been served. (Id. at 6, ¶ 1). The Court expressly warned Plaintiff that if he “fails to timely respond to this Court Order or seek an extension of time to comply the undersigned “will construe Plaintiff's failure to timely respond an abandonment of this action and will recommend that the district court dismiss this action for Plaintiff's failure to comply with a court order and prosecute this action.” (Id. at 7, ¶ 2). The twenty-one (21) day deadline has passed, and Plaintiff has not elected any of the three options or otherwise moved for an extension of time. (See generally docket).
The undersigned notes that as of the date of these Findings and Recommendations 35 days has passed. Although Plaintiff is not incarcerated and is not entitled to the mailbox rule, the undersigned afforded Plaintiff a sufficient time to account for mailing (additional 14 days).
APPLICABLE LAW AND ANALYSIS
A. Legal Standard
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) permits the court to involuntarily dismiss an action when a litigant fails to prosecute an action or fails to comply with other Rules or with a court order. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 41(b); see Applied Underwriters v. Lichtenegger, 913 F.3d 884, 889 (9th Cir. 2019) (citations omitted). Similarly, the Local Rules, corresponding with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11, provide, “[f]ailure of counsel or of a party to comply with ... any order of the Court may be grounds for the imposition by the Court of any and all sanctions . within the inherent power of the Court.” E.D. Cal. L.R. 110. “District courts have inherent power to control their dockets” and, in exercising that power, may impose sanctions, including dismissal of an action. Thompson v. Housing Auth., City of Los Angeles, 782 F.2d 829, 831 (9th Cir. 1986). A court may dismiss an action based on a party's failure to prosecute an action, obey a court order, or comply with local rules. See, e.g., Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258, 1260-61 (9th Cir. 1992) (dismissal for failure to comply with a court order to amend a complaint); Malone v. U.S. Postal Service, 833 F.2d 128, 130-31 (9th Cir. 1987) (dismissal for failure to comply with a court order); Henderson v. Duncan, 779 F.2d 1421, 1424 (9th Cir. 1986) (dismissal for failure to prosecute and to comply with local rules).
In determining whether to dismiss an action, the Court must consider several factors: (1) the public's interest in expeditious resolution of litigation; (2) the Court's need to manage its docket; (3) the risk of prejudice to the defendants; (4) the public policy favoring disposition of cases on their merits; and (5) the availability of less drastic sanctions. Henderson, 779 F.2d at 1423; Carey v. King, 856 F.2d 1439, 1440 (9th Cir. 1988).
B. Analysis
The undersigned considers each of the above-stated factors and concludes dismissal is warranted in this case. The Court's screening order determined Plaintiff had failed to state any claim upon which relief could be granted. (Doc. 11 at 3-5). Plaintiff was ordered to file a first amended complaint to cure the deficiencies within 21 days. Alternatively, Plaintiff could stand on his Complaint or file a notice of voluntary dismissal. (Id. 5-6). Plaintiff failed to file a response to the April 17, 2023 screening order or request an extension of time to respond.
As to the first factor, the expeditious resolution of litigation is deemed to be in the public interest, satisfying the first factor. Yourish v. California Amplifier, 191 F.3d 983, 990-91 (9th Cir. 1999). Turning to the second factor, the Court's need to efficiently manage its docket cannot be overstated. This Court has “one of the heaviest caseloads in the nation,” and due to unfilled judicial vacancies, which is further exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, operates under a declared judicial emergency. See Amended Standing Order in Light of Ongoing Judicial Emergency in the Eastern District of California. The Court's time is better spent on its other matters than needlessly consumed managing a case with a recalcitrant litigant. Because the Court cannot effectively manage its docket if Plaintiff ceases litigating his case. Thus, the Court finds that both the first and second factors weigh in favor of dismissal.
Delays inevitably have the inherent risk that evidence will become stale or witnesses' memories will fade or be unavailable and can prejudice a defendant, thereby satisfying the third factor. See Sibron v. New York, 392 U.S. 40, 57 (1968). Thus, the third factor, risk of prejudice to defendant, also weighs in favor of dismissal since a presumption of injury arises from the occurrence of unreasonable delay in prosecuting an action. Anderson v. Air W., 542 F.2d 522, 524 (9th Cir. 1976). Plaintiff's inaction amounts to an unreasonable delay in prosecuting this action, weighing in favor of dismissal for a risk of prejudice to defendants.
Finally, the fourth factor usually weighs against dismissal because public policy favors disposition on the merits. Pagtalunan v. Galaza, 291 F.3d 639, 643 (9th Cir. 2002). However, “this factor lends little support to a party whose responsibility it is to move a case toward disposition on the merits but whose conduct impedes progress in that direction,” which is the case here. In re Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Products Liability Litigation, 460 F.3d 1217, 1228 (9th Cir. 2006) (citation omitted). Indeed, “trial courts do not have time to waste on multiple failures by aspiring litigants to follow the rules and requirements of our courts.” Pagtalunan v. Galaza, 291 F.3d 639, 644 (9th Cir. 2002) (Trott, J., concurring in affirmance of district court's involuntary dismissal with prejudice of habeas petition where petitioner failed to timely respond to court order and noting “the weight of the docket-managing factor depends upon the size and load of the docket, and those in the best position to know what that is are our beleaguered trial judges.”). Further the Court's screening order found the Complaint, as pled, lacked merit.
Finally, the Court's warning to a party that failure to obey the court's order will result in dismissal satisfies the “considerations of the alternatives” requirement. Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1262; Malone, 833 F.2d at 132-33; Henderson, 779 F.2d at 1424. The Court's April 17, 2023 Order expressly warned Plaintiff that his failure to timely comply with the Court's order would be construed as an abandonment of the action and result in a recommendation to the district court to dismiss this action. (Doc. 11 at 7, ¶2). Thus, Plaintiff had adequate warning that dismissal could result from his noncompliance. And the instant dismissal is a dismissal without prejudice, which is a lesser sanction than a dismissal with prejudice, thereby addressing the fifth factor.
After considering the factors set forth supra and binding case law, the undersigned recommends dismissal, without prejudice, under Fed.R.Civ.P. 41 and Local Rule 110.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED:
The Clerk of the Court randomly assign this case to a District Judge.
It is further RECOMMENDED:
This action be DISMISSED without prejudice for Plaintiff's failure to obey court orders and failure to prosecute.
NOTICE
These Findings and Recommendations will be submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to this case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Within 14 days of the date of service of these Findings and Recommendations, Plaintiff may file written objections with the Court. The document should be captioned, “Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations.” Plaintiff's failure to file objections within the specified time may result in waiver of his rights on appeal. Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834, 839 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Baxter v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991)).