Opinion
EDCV 24-0801-KK-SPx
07-31-2024
Lisa Torres v. Block, Inc., et al.
Present: The Honorable KENLY KIYA KATO, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
CIVIL MINUTES-GENERAL
Proceedings: (In Chambers) Order DISMISSING the Instant Action for Failure to Prosecute
I.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On April 16, 2024, plaintiff Lisa Torres (“Plaintiff”) filed a Complaint against defendants Block, Inc. and Sutton Bank (“Defendants”) raising multiple claims, including violation of the Electronic Fund Transfers Act. ECF Docket No. (“Dkt.”) 1. To date, Plaintiff has not filed a proof of service of the Summons and Complaint.
Hence, on July 22, 2024, the Court issued an Order to Show Cause why the action should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute because Plaintiff had not filed a proof of service of the summons and complaint. Dkt. 15. The Court specifically ordered Plaintiff to file a response by July 29, 2024. Id. The Court warned Plaintiff that “failure to file a timely response will result in dismissal for failure to prosecute and/or comply with Court orders.” Id. To date, however, Plaintiff has not filed a response to the OSC. Additionally, the Court has not received any communications from Plaintiff since May 16, 2024. See dkt. 14.
Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m), “[i]f a defendant is not served within 90 days after the complaint is filed, the court - on motion or on its own after notice to the plaintiff - must dismiss the action without prejudice against that defendant or order that service be made within a specified time.”
II.
DISCUSSION
It is well established that district courts have sua sponte authority to dismiss actions for failure to prosecute or to comply with court orders. See FED. R. CIV. P. 41(b); Omstead v. Dell, Inc., 594 F.3d 1081, 1084 (9th Cir. 2010) (stating standard applied in dismissal for failure to prosecute) overruled on other grounds by Langere v. Verizon Wireless Servs., LLC, 983 F.3d 1115, 1117 (9th Cir. 2020); Hells Canyon Pres. Council v. U.S. Forest Serv., 403 F.3d 683, 689 (9th Cir. 2005) (stating courts may dismiss an action pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) sua sponte for a plaintiff's failure to prosecute or comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or the court's orders); Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258, 1260 (9th Cir. 1992) (affirming dismissal for failure to comply with court orders). In deciding whether to dismiss for failure to prosecute or comply with court orders, a district court must consider five 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.” Omstead, 594 F.3d at 1084 (quoting Henderson v. Duncan, 779 F.2d 1421, 1423 (9th Cir. 1986)).
In the instant action, the first two factors - public interest in expeditious resolution of litigation and the court's need to manage its docket - weigh in favor of dismissal. Plaintiff has not filed a proof of service of the summons and complaint, or responded to the Court's July 22, 2024 OSC. Dkt. 15. This failure to prosecute and follow court orders hinders the Court's ability to move this case toward disposition and suggests Plaintiff does not intend to litigate this action diligently.
The third factor - prejudice to defendants - also weighs in favor of dismissal. A rebuttable presumption of prejudice to defendants arises when a plaintiff unreasonably delays prosecution of an action. See In re Risen, 31 F.3d 1447, 1452-53 (9th Cir. 1994). Nothing suggests such a presumption is unwarranted in this case.
The fourth factor - public policy in favor of deciding cases on the merits - ordinarily weighs against dismissal. It is Plaintiff's responsibility, however, to move towards disposition at a reasonable pace and avoid dilatory and evasive tactics. See Morris v. Morgan Stanley, 942 F.2d 648, 652 (9th Cir. 1991). Plaintiff has not discharged this responsibility despite having been: (1) instructed on her responsibilities; (2) granted sufficient time in which to discharge them; and (3) warned of the consequences of failure to do so. See dkt. 15. Under these circumstances, the policy favoring resolution of disputes on the merits does not outweigh Plaintiff's failure to obey court orders or to file responsive documents within the time granted.
The fifth factor - availability of less drastic sanctions - also weighs in favor of dismissal. The Court cannot move the case toward disposition without Plaintiff's compliance with court orders or participation in this litigation. Plaintiff has shown she is either unwilling or unable to comply with court orders by failing to file responsive documents or otherwise cooperating in prosecuting this action.
Finally, while dismissal should not be entered unless Plaintiff has been notified dismissal is imminent, see W. Coast Theater Corp. v. City of Portland, 897 F.2d 1519, 1523 (9th Cir. 1990), the Court has explicitly warned Plaintiff about the possibility of dismissal, see dkt. 15.
III.
CONCLUSION
Accordingly, the Court DISMISSES this action without prejudice under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) for failure to prosecute and comply with Court orders. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of Court shall close this action. (JS-6)
IT IS SO ORDERED.