Opinion
Case No. 1:20-cv-00010-LJO-SAB
03-31-2020
CHRISTOPHER TAFOYA, Plaintiff, v. CITY OF HANFORD, et al., Defendants.
ORDER DIRECTING CLERK OF THE COURT TO ASSIGN THIS ACTION TO A DISTRICT JUDGE FOR PUPOSES OF CLOSING THE CASE AND ADJUST DOCKET TO REFLECT DISMISSAL UNDER FED. R. CIV. P. 41(a) (ECF No. 8)
Plaintiff Christopher Tafoya, proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, filed this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On January 21, 2020, Plaintiff's complaint was screened and it was found not to state a cognizable claim. Plaintiff filed a first amended complaint on February 13, 2020. Plaintiff's first amended complaint was screened on March 6, 2020. The first amended complaint was found not to state a claim and Plaintiff was to file an amended complaint within thirty days. On March 30, 2020, Plaintiff filed a notice of voluntary dismissal pursuant to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
"[U]nder Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(i), 'a plaintiff has an absolute right to voluntarily dismiss his action prior to service by the defendant of an answer or a motion for summary judgment.' " Commercial Space Mgmt. Co., Inc. v. Boeing Co., Inc., 193 F.3d 1074, 1077 (9th Cir. 1999) (quoting Wilson v. City of San Jose, 111 F.3d 688, 692 (9th Cir. 1997)). The Ninth Circuit has held that Rule 41(a) allows a plaintiff to dismiss without a court order any defendant who has yet to serve an answer or motion for summary judgment. Pedrina v. Chun, 987 F.2d 608, 609 (9th Cir. 1993). "[A] dismissal under Rule 41(a)(1) is effective on filing, no court order is required, the parties are left as though no action had been brought, the defendant can't complain, and the district court lacks jurisdiction to do anything about it." Commercial Space Mgmt. Co., Inc., 193 F.3d at 1078. In this action, no defendant has filed an answer or other responsive pleading.
Accordingly, the Clerk of the Court is HEREBY DIRECTED to assign a district judge to this case for the purpose of closing the case and then to adjust the docket to reflect voluntary dismissal of this action pursuant to Rule 41(a). IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: March 31 , 2020
/s/_________
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE