Opinion
3:23-cv-00183-G (BT)
02-16-2023
JAMES JETER, #4102-22 Plaintiff, v. ELLIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, et al., Defendants.
FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
REBECCA RUTHERFORD, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Plaintiff James Jeter filed this pro se civil rights lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On January 24, 2023, the Court issued a Consent Form (ECF No. 1) and Notice and Instructions to a Pro Se Party (ECF No. 2). The next day, the Court granted Jeter's motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. (ECF No. 5.) Thereafter, on February 14, the Order was returned to the Court marked “RETURN TO SENDER, NOT DELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED, UNABLE TO FORWARD.” (ECF No. 7.) Jeter has failed to provide the Court with a current address. Therefore, this case should be dismissed without prejudice under Rule 41(b).
Rule 41(b) allows a court to dismiss an action sua sponte for failure to prosecute or for failure to comply with the federal rules or any court order. Griggs v. S.G.E. Mgmt., L.L.C., 905 F.3d 835, 844 (5th Cir. 2018) (citing McCullough v. Lynaugh, 835 F.2d 1126, 1127 (5th Cir. 1988) (per curiam)); accord Nottingham v. Warden, Bill Clements Unit, 837 F.3d 438, 440 (5th Cir. 2016) (failure to comply with a court order); Rosin v. Thaler, 450 Fed.Appx. 383, 383-84 (5th Cir. 2011) (per curiam) (failure to prosecute). “This authority [under Rule 41(b)] flows from the court's inherent power to control its docket and prevent undue delays in the disposition of pending cases.” Boudwin v. Graystone Ins. Co., Ltd., 756 F.2d 399, 401 (5th Cir. 1985) (citing Link v. Wabash, R.R. Co., 370 U.S. 626 (1962)).
Here, this litigation cannot proceed because Jeter has failed to keep the Court apprised of his current address. This case was opened on January 24, 2023, and that same day, the Court mailed Jeter Instructions, which advised him: “You must notify the Court if your address changes, or your case may be dismissed.” (ECF No. 2 at 1.) Jeter has failed to provide the Court with a current address. Without an address, the Court is unable to communicate with Jeter about his case.
By failing to provide the Court with a current address, Jeter has failed to comply with a court order and failed to prosecute his lawsuit. Dismissal without prejudice is warranted under these circumstances. The Court should dismiss Jeter's case without prejudice under Rule 41(b).
SO RECOMMENDED.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SERVICE AND
NOTICE OF RIGHT TO APPEAL/OBJECT
A copy of this report and recommendation shall be served on all parties in the manner provided by law. Any party who objects to any part of this report and recommendation must file specific written objections within 14 days after being served with a copy. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed.R.Civ.P. 72(b). In order to be specific, an objection must identify the specific finding or recommendation to which objection is made, state the basis for the objection, and specify the place in the magistrate judge's report and recommendation where the disputed determination is found. An objection that merely incorporates by reference or refers to the briefing before the magistrate judge is not specific. Failure to file specific written objections will bar the aggrieved party from appealing the factual findings and legal conclusions of the magistrate judge that are accepted or adopted by the district court, except upon grounds of plain error. See Douglass v. United Services Automobile Ass'n, 79 F.3d 1415, 1417 (5th Cir. 1996).