1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 RICKY L. THOMAS, Case No. 1:23-cv-00470-JLT-BAM (PC) 12 Plaintiff, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDING DISMISSAL OF 13 v. ACTION, WITHOUT PREJUDICE, FOR 14 SHIRLEY, et al., FAILURE TO PROSECUTE AND FAILURE TO OBEY COURT ORDER 15 Defendants. (ECF Nos. 41, 47) 16 FOURTEEN (14) DAY DEADLINE 17 18 19 Plaintiff Ricky L. Thomas (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma 20 pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This action proceeds on 21 Plaintiff’s first amended complaint against Defendant DeGough (“Defendant”) for deliberate 22 indifference in violation of the Eighth Amendment. 23 For the reasons that follow, the Court recommends that this action be dismissed, without 24 prejudice. 25 I. Background 26 On October 25, 2024, Defendant filed a motion for summary judgment on the ground that 27 Plaintiff failed to exhaust his administrative remedies. (ECF No. 41.) Together with the motion, 28 Plaintiff was provided with notice of the requirements for opposing a motion for summary 1 judgment. Woods v. Carey, 684 F.3d 934 (9th Cir. 2012); Rand v. Rowland, 154 F.3d 952, 957 2 (9th Cir. 1988); Klingele v. Eikenberry, 849 F.2d 409, 411–12 (9th Cir. 1988). (ECF No. 41-5.) 3 Plaintiff’s opposition to the motion for summary judgment was therefore due on or before 4 November 18, 2024. 5 On December 4, 2024, the Court ordered Plaintiff to show cause within twenty-one (21) 6 days why this action should not be dismissed, without prejudice, for Plaintiff’s failure to 7 prosecute. (ECF No. 47.) Plaintiff was provided the opportunity to comply with the Court’s 8 order by filing an opposition or statement of non-opposition to the motion for summary judgment. 9 Plaintiff was warned that failure to comply with the Court’s order would result in dismissal of this 10 matter, without prejudice, for failure to prosecute. (Id.) 11 Plaintiff has failed to submit any response to Defendant’s motion for summary judgment 12 and has not otherwise communicated with the Court. 13 II. Discussion 14 Local Rule 110 provides that “[f]ailure . . . of a party to comply with these Rules or with 15 any order of the Court may be grounds for imposition by the Court of any and all sanctions . . . 16 within the inherent power of the Court.” District courts have the inherent power to control their 17 dockets and “[i]n the exercise of that power they may impose sanctions including, where 18 appropriate, . . . dismissal.” Thompson v. Hous. Auth., 782 F.2d 829, 831 (9th Cir. 1986). A 19 court may dismiss an action, with prejudice, based on a party’s failure to prosecute an action, 20 failure to obey a court order, or failure to comply with local rules. See, e.g., Ghazali v. Moran, 46 21 F.3d 52, 53–54 (9th Cir. 1995) (dismissal for noncompliance with local rule); Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 22 963 F.2d 1258, 1260–61 (9th Cir. 1992) (dismissal for failure to comply with an order requiring 23 amendment of complaint); Malone v. U.S. Postal Serv., 833 F.2d 128, 130–33 (9th Cir. 1987) 24 (dismissal for failure to comply with court order). 25 In determining whether to dismiss an action, the Court must consider several factors: 26 (1) the public’s interest in expeditions resolution of litigation; (2) the Court’s need to manage its 27 docket; (3) the risk of prejudice to the defendants; (4) the public policy favoring disposition of 28 cases on their merits; and (5) the availability of less drastic sanctions. Henderson v. Duncan, 779 1 F.2d 1421, 1423 (9th Cir. 1986); Carey v. King, 856 F.2d 1439 (9th Cir. 1988). 2 Here, the action has been pending since 2023, and Plaintiff’s response or opposition to 3 Defendant’s motion for summary judgment is overdue. Plaintiff was warned that his failure to 4 comply with the Court’s order would result in dismissal of this action, with prejudice, for failure 5 to prosecute. Plaintiff has failed to comply. 6 Plaintiff is obligated to comply with the Local Rules and was informed by the Court of 7 the need to oppose a motion for summary judgment. Despite Plaintiff’s duty to comply with all 8 applicable rules and the Court’s notice, Plaintiff did not file an opposition. The Court cannot 9 effectively manage its docket if a party ceases litigating the case. Thus, both the first and second 10 factors weigh in favor of dismissal of this action. 11 The third factor, risk of prejudice to defendant, also weighs in favor of dismissal, because 12 a presumption of injury arises from the occurrence of unreasonable delay in prosecuting an 13 action. Anderson v. Air W., 542 F.2d 522, 524 (9th Cir. 1976). Because public policy favors 14 disposition on the merits, the fourth factor usually weighs against dismissal. Pagtalunan v. 15 Galaza, 291 F.3d 639, 643 (9th Cir. 2002). However, “this factor lends little support to a party 16 whose responsibility is to move a case toward disposition on the merits but whose conduct 17 impedes progress in that direction,” which is the case here. In re Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) 18 Prods. Liab. Litig., 460 F.3d 1217, 1228 (9th Cir. 2006). 19 Finally, the Court’s warning to a party that failure to obey the Court’s order will result in 20 dismissal satisfies the “considerations of the alternatives requirement.” Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1262; 21 Malone, 833 at 132–33; Henderson, 779 F.2d at 1424. The Court’s December 4, 2024 order to 22 show cause expressly warned Plaintiff that if he failed to comply with that order, this matter 23 would be dismissed, without prejudice, for failure to prosecute. (ECF No. 47.) Thus, Plaintiff 24 had adequate warning that dismissal of this action could result from his noncompliance. At this 25 stage in the proceedings there is little available to the Court which would constitute a satisfactory 26 lesser sanction while protecting the Court from further unnecessary expenditure of its scarce 27 resources. Plaintiff is proceeding in forma pauperis in this action, making monetary sanctions of 28 little use. Further, the preclusion of evidence or witnesses is likely to have no effect given that 1 Plaintiff has ceased litigating this case. 2 In summary, Plaintiff is no longer prosecuting this action, and the Court cannot afford to 3 expend resources resolving an unopposed dispositive motion in a case which Plaintiff is no longer 4 prosecuting. 5 III. Recommendation 6 Accordingly, the Court finds that dismissal is the appropriate sanction and HEREBY 7 RECOMMENDS that this action be dismissed, without prejudice, for failure to prosecute and for 8 failure to obey court orders.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 RICKY L. THOMAS, Case No. 1:23-cv-00470-JLT-BAM (PC) 12 Plaintiff, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDING DISMISSAL OF 13 v. ACTION, WITHOUT PREJUDICE, FOR 14 SHIRLEY, et al., FAILURE TO PROSECUTE AND FAILURE TO OBEY COURT ORDER 15 Defendants. (ECF Nos. 41, 47) 16 FOURTEEN (14) DAY DEADLINE 17 18 19 Plaintiff Ricky L. Thomas (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma 20 pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This action proceeds on 21 Plaintiff’s first amended complaint against Defendant DeGough (“Defendant”) for deliberate 22 indifference in violation of the Eighth Amendment. 23 For the reasons that follow, the Court recommends that this action be dismissed, without 24 prejudice. 25 I. Background 26 On October 25, 2024, Defendant filed a motion for summary judgment on the ground that 27 Plaintiff failed to exhaust his administrative remedies. (ECF No. 41.) Together with the motion, 28 Plaintiff was provided with notice of the requirements for opposing a motion for summary 1 judgment. Woods v. Carey, 684 F.3d 934 (9th Cir. 2012); Rand v. Rowland, 154 F.3d 952, 957 2 (9th Cir. 1988); Klingele v. Eikenberry, 849 F.2d 409, 411–12 (9th Cir. 1988). (ECF No. 41-5.) 3 Plaintiff’s opposition to the motion for summary judgment was therefore due on or before 4 November 18, 2024. 5 On December 4, 2024, the Court ordered Plaintiff to show cause within twenty-one (21) 6 days why this action should not be dismissed, without prejudice, for Plaintiff’s failure to 7 prosecute. (ECF No. 47.) Plaintiff was provided the opportunity to comply with the Court’s 8 order by filing an opposition or statement of non-opposition to the motion for summary judgment. 9 Plaintiff was warned that failure to comply with the Court’s order would result in dismissal of this 10 matter, without prejudice, for failure to prosecute. (Id.) 11 Plaintiff has failed to submit any response to Defendant’s motion for summary judgment 12 and has not otherwise communicated with the Court. 13 II. Discussion 14 Local Rule 110 provides that “[f]ailure . . . of a party to comply with these Rules or with 15 any order of the Court may be grounds for imposition by the Court of any and all sanctions . . . 16 within the inherent power of the Court.” District courts have the inherent power to control their 17 dockets and “[i]n the exercise of that power they may impose sanctions including, where 18 appropriate, . . . dismissal.” Thompson v. Hous. Auth., 782 F.2d 829, 831 (9th Cir. 1986). A 19 court may dismiss an action, with prejudice, based on a party’s failure to prosecute an action, 20 failure to obey a court order, or failure to comply with local rules. See, e.g., Ghazali v. Moran, 46 21 F.3d 52, 53–54 (9th Cir. 1995) (dismissal for noncompliance with local rule); Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 22 963 F.2d 1258, 1260–61 (9th Cir. 1992) (dismissal for failure to comply with an order requiring 23 amendment of complaint); Malone v. U.S. Postal Serv., 833 F.2d 128, 130–33 (9th Cir. 1987) 24 (dismissal for failure to comply with court order). 25 In determining whether to dismiss an action, the Court must consider several factors: 26 (1) the public’s interest in expeditions resolution of litigation; (2) the Court’s need to manage its 27 docket; (3) the risk of prejudice to the defendants; (4) the public policy favoring disposition of 28 cases on their merits; and (5) the availability of less drastic sanctions. Henderson v. Duncan, 779 1 F.2d 1421, 1423 (9th Cir. 1986); Carey v. King, 856 F.2d 1439 (9th Cir. 1988). 2 Here, the action has been pending since 2023, and Plaintiff’s response or opposition to 3 Defendant’s motion for summary judgment is overdue. Plaintiff was warned that his failure to 4 comply with the Court’s order would result in dismissal of this action, with prejudice, for failure 5 to prosecute. Plaintiff has failed to comply. 6 Plaintiff is obligated to comply with the Local Rules and was informed by the Court of 7 the need to oppose a motion for summary judgment. Despite Plaintiff’s duty to comply with all 8 applicable rules and the Court’s notice, Plaintiff did not file an opposition. The Court cannot 9 effectively manage its docket if a party ceases litigating the case. Thus, both the first and second 10 factors weigh in favor of dismissal of this action. 11 The third factor, risk of prejudice to defendant, also weighs in favor of dismissal, because 12 a presumption of injury arises from the occurrence of unreasonable delay in prosecuting an 13 action. Anderson v. Air W., 542 F.2d 522, 524 (9th Cir. 1976). Because public policy favors 14 disposition on the merits, the fourth factor usually weighs against dismissal. Pagtalunan v. 15 Galaza, 291 F.3d 639, 643 (9th Cir. 2002). However, “this factor lends little support to a party 16 whose responsibility is to move a case toward disposition on the merits but whose conduct 17 impedes progress in that direction,” which is the case here. In re Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) 18 Prods. Liab. Litig., 460 F.3d 1217, 1228 (9th Cir. 2006). 19 Finally, the Court’s warning to a party that failure to obey the Court’s order will result in 20 dismissal satisfies the “considerations of the alternatives requirement.” Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1262; 21 Malone, 833 at 132–33; Henderson, 779 F.2d at 1424. The Court’s December 4, 2024 order to 22 show cause expressly warned Plaintiff that if he failed to comply with that order, this matter 23 would be dismissed, without prejudice, for failure to prosecute. (ECF No. 47.) Thus, Plaintiff 24 had adequate warning that dismissal of this action could result from his noncompliance. At this 25 stage in the proceedings there is little available to the Court which would constitute a satisfactory 26 lesser sanction while protecting the Court from further unnecessary expenditure of its scarce 27 resources. Plaintiff is proceeding in forma pauperis in this action, making monetary sanctions of 28 little use. Further, the preclusion of evidence or witnesses is likely to have no effect given that 1 Plaintiff has ceased litigating this case. 2 In summary, Plaintiff is no longer prosecuting this action, and the Court cannot afford to 3 expend resources resolving an unopposed dispositive motion in a case which Plaintiff is no longer 4 prosecuting. 5 III. Recommendation 6 Accordingly, the Court finds that dismissal is the appropriate sanction and HEREBY 7 RECOMMENDS that this action be dismissed, without prejudice, for failure to prosecute and for 8 failure to obey court orders. 9 These Findings and Recommendations will be submitted to the United States District 10 Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Within 11 fourteen (14) days after being served with these Findings and Recommendations, the parties may 12 file written objections with the Court. The document should be captioned “Objections to 13 Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.” Objections, if any, shall not exceed 14 fifteen (15) pages or include exhibits. Exhibits may be referenced by document and page 15 number if already in the record before the Court. Any pages filed in excess of the 15-page 16 limit may not be considered. The parties are advised that failure to file objections within the 17 specified time may result in the waiver of the “right to challenge the magistrate’s factual 18 findings” on appeal. Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834, 838–39 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Baxter 19 v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991)). 20 IT IS SO ORDERED. 21
22 Dated: January 13, 2025 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _ UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 23
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