Henderson et al v. City of Fairhope et al

Filing 28

ORDER granting 27 Motion to Dismiss defendant Trent Scott with prejudice. Signed by Judge Kristi K. DuBose on 1/6/2012. (cmj)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
DORSEY HENDERSON and
DORRIS L. HENDERSON,
Plaintiffs,
v.
CITY OF FAIRHOPE, and
TRENT SCOTT,
Defendants.

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CIVIL ACTION NO. 11-00310-KD-B

ORDER
This action is before the Court on the motion to dismiss with prejudice as to defendant
Trent Scott filed by plaintiffs Dorsey and Dorris Henderson (doc. 27). The motion was not
joined by all parties who have appeared. However, plaintiffs represent that opposing counsel is in
agreement with the motion.
As an exception to Rule 41(a)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 41(a)(2)
provides for voluntary dismissal “at the plaintiff's request only by court order, on terms that the
court considers proper.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(2). Thus the Court construes the motion to dismiss
as a request for voluntary dismissal under Rule 41(a)(2). The Rule also states that “[i]f a
defendant has pleaded a counterclaim before being served with the plaintiff's motion to dismiss,
the action may be dismissed over the defendant's objection only if the counterclaim can remain
pending for independent adjudication.” Id. Scott did not file a counterclaim against the
Hendersons. The Rule also states that “[u]nless the order states otherwise, a dismissal under this
paragraph (2) is without prejudice.” Because the Hendersons have moved to dismiss with
prejudice, the order shall state that the action is dismissed with prejudice as to Scott.

Therefore, upon consideration of the motion and pursuant to the provisions of Rule
41(a)(2), of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, this action is DISMISSED, with prejudice, as
to defendant Trent Scott.
Nothing in this Order is intended to, or shall be construed as, dismissing plaintiffs= claims
against the remaining defendant City of Fairhope.
No other order concerning plaintiffs= claims against Scott shall be forthcoming except
upon application by any party for final judgment, as prescribed by Rule 58, Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure.
DONE and ORDERED this 6th day of January, 2012.

s / Kristi K. DuBose
KRISTI K. DuBOSE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE