Opinion
CV 23-74-GF-BMM
03-12-2024
GREGG ALLEN ZINDELL, Petitioner, v. WARDEN JIM SALMONSEN; AUSTIN KNUDSEN, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF MONTANA, Respondents.
ORDER
Brian Morris, Chief District Judge
Petitioner Gregg Allen Zindell (“Zindell”), filed a petition seeking habeas corpus relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. (Doc. 1.) On December 18, 2023, the Court issued an order directing Zindell to show cause as to why the matter should not be dismissed as untimely and procedurally defaulted. (Doc. 5.) Zindell was informed that a failure to make an adequate showing as to either issue or a failure to respond would result in dismissal of the petition. (Id. at 7, 10-11.) Zindell was given 60 days within which to respond to the Court's order. (Id. at 10.) Zindell had until February 18, 2024, to file his response. Zindell failed to respond.
Failure to Prosecute/Comply with Court's Order
Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b) authorizes the Court to dismiss an action “[i]f the plaintiff fails to prosecute” the action or fails to comply with other Rules of the Court. See also Applied Underwriters v. Lichtenegger, 913 F.3d 884, 889 (9th Cir.2019) (citation omitted). A court may dismiss an action based on a party's failure to prosecute an action, obey a court order, or comply with the local rules. See 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). The Court may dismiss a case on its own without awaiting a motion. See Link v. Wabash Railroad Co., 370 U.S. 626, 633 (1962); Hells Canyon Preservation Council v. United States Forest Serv., 403 F.3d 683, 689 (9th Cir. 2005).
In determining whether a petitioner's failure to prosecute warrants dismissal of the case, the Court must weigh the following 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.” Carey v. King, 856 F.2d 1439, 1440 (9th Cir. 1988) (quoting Henderson v. Duncan, 779 F.2d 1421, 1423 (9th Cir.1986)). “The first two of these factors favor the imposition of sanctions in most cases, while the fourth factor cuts against a default or dismissal sanction. Thus, the key factors are prejudice and availability of lesser sanctions.” Wanderer v. Johnson, 910 F.2d 652, 656 (9th Cir. 1990).
“The public's interest in expeditious resolution of litigation always favors dismissal.” Yourish v. California Amplifier, 191 F.3d 983, 990 (9th Cir. 1999). Zindell has failed to comply with the Court's order to show cause. This factor weighs in favor of dismissal.
Likewise, the second factor supports dismissal. “The trial judge is in the best position to determine whether the delay in a particular case interferes with docket management and the public interest.” Pagtalunan v. Galaza, 291 F.3d 639, 642 (9th Cir. 2002). The Court cannot manage its docket if Zindell refuses to comply with the Court's orders. Zindell's case has consumed judicial resources and time that could have been better spent on other matters. This factor also favors dismissal.
The third factor requires the Court to weigh the risk of prejudice to the Respondents. A rebuttable presumption of prejudice to respondents arises when a petitioner unreasonably delays prosecution of an action. In re Eisen, 31 F.3d 1447, 1452-53 (9th Cir. 1994). Nothing suggests that such a presumption is unwarranted, although it does not weigh strongly against Zindell in the present case.
The Court has considered less drastic alternatives. Alternatives may include “allowing further amended complaints, allowing additional time, or insisting that appellant associate experienced counsel.” Nevijel v. North Coast Life Insurance Co., 651 F.2d 671, 674 (9th Cir. 1981). Although less drastic alternatives to dismissal should be considered, the Court is not required to exhaust all such alternatives prior to dismissal. Id. Zindell was provided an adequate amount of time to show cause as to why this matter should not be dismissed, but he failed to comply with the Court's order. Zindell was further advised that his failure to obey the Court's order to show cause would result in dismissal. (See e.g., Doc. 5 at 10.) Such a warning satisfies the consideration of alternatives requirement. See Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1262. Zindell had adequate warning that dismissal would result from his noncompliance. At this juncture, the Court can envision no further alternatives to dismissal.
The last factor weighs against dismissal because public policy favors disposition of cases on their merits. Hernandez v. City of El Monte, 138 F.3d 393, 399 (9th Cir. 1998). The weight of this factor is slight in light of the other four factors favoring dismissal. No further resources of the Court will be expended. This matter will be dismissed based upon Zindell's failure to prosecute pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 41(b).
Certificate of Appealability
“The district court must issue or deny a certificate of appealability when it enters a final order adverse to the applicant.” Rule 11(a), Rules governing § 2254 Proceedings. A certificate of appealability should issue as to those claims on which a petitioner makes a “substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right.” 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). The standard is satisfied if “jurists of reason could disagree with the district court's resolution of [the] constitutional claims” or “conclude the issues presented are adequate to deserve encouragement to proceed further.” Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 327 (2003) (citing Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000)).
Zindell has not made a substantial showing that he was deprived of a federal constitutional right. Further, because Zindell has failed to prosecute his petition, reasonable jurists would find no basis to disagree with this Court's ruling. There are no close questions and there is no reason to encourage further proceedings in this Court. A certificate of appealability will be denied.
Accordingly, the Court enters the following:
ORDER
1. This matter is dismissed for failure to prosecute pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b).
2. A certificate of appealability is denied.
3. The Clerk of Court is directed to close this matter and enter judgment in favor of Respondents pursuant to Rule 58 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.