Opinion
CASE NO. 1:12-cv-01553-AWI-GBC (PC)
11-27-2012
JESSE GONZALES ROMERO, Plaintiff, v. BILL WITTMAN, Defendant.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO DISMISS ACTION, WITHOUT PREJUDICE,
FOR FAILURE TO EITHER PAY FILING FEE OR SUBMIT AN APPLICATION
TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS AND FOR FAILURE TO PROSECUTE
Docs. 3, 5
OBJECTIONS DUE WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS
Findings and Recommendations
On January 26, 2012, Plaintiff Jesse Gonzales Romero ("Plaintiff"), a former state prisoner proceeding pro se, filed this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Doc. 1.
On September 24, 2012, the Court ordered Plaintiff to either consent to or decline Magistrate Judge jurisdiction within thirty days. Doc. 3. On October 10, 2012, the Court ordered Plaintiff to submit an application to proceed in forma pauperis by a non-prisoner or pay the filing fee within thirty days. Doc. 5. To date, Plaintiff has failed to pay the $350.00 filing fee in full, submit an application to proceed in forma pauperis, or respond to the Court's orders.
The Court has the inherent power to control its docket and may, in the exercise of that power, impose sanctions where appropriate, including dismissal of the action. Bautista v. Los Angeles County, 216 F.3d 837, 841 (9th Cir. 2000). "In determining whether to dismiss an action for lack of prosecution, the district court is required to 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.'" Carey v. King, 856 F.2d 1439, 1440 (9th Cir. 1988) (quoting Henderson v. Duncan, 779 F.2d 1421, 1423 (9th Cir. 1986)). These factors guide a court in deciding what to do, and are not conditions that must be met in order for a court to take action. In re Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Products Liability Litigation, 460 F.3d 1217, 1226 (9th Cir. 2006).
A civil action may not proceed absent the submission of either the filing fee or an application to proceed in forma pauperis. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1914, 1915. Because Plaintiff has not submitted an application to proceed in forma pauperis, paid the filing fee, or responded to the Court's order to do so, dismissal of this action is appropriate. In re Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Products Liability Litigation, 460 F.3d at 1226; Local Rule 110.
Accordingly, the Court HEREBY RECOMMENDS that this action be dismissed, without prejudice, for failure to pay the filing fee or submit a completed application to proceed in forma pauperis and for failure to prosecute.
These Findings and Recommendations will be submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fifteen (15) days after being served with 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 is advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153, 1156-57 (9th Cir. 1991). IT IS SO ORDERED.
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UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE