Chilton v. Federal National Mortgage Assocation

Filing 11

FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATIONS recommending that this 1 Action be Dismissed based on Plaintiff's Failure to Obey a Court Order; Objections, if any, Due Within Thirty (30) Days signed by Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto on 6/21/2010. Referred to Judge Oliver W. Wanger. Objections to F&R due by 7/26/2010. (Sant Agata, S)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 On January 11, 2010, the Court issued an order dismissing Plaintiff's complaint with leave to amend. The order directed Plaintiff to file an amended complaint within thirty (30) days. On FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION, Defendant. / v. ALICE ARENA CHILTON, Plaintiff, CASE NO. 1:09-cv-02187-OWW-SKO FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION TO DISMISS CASE FOR FAILURE TO OBEY A COURT ORDER OBJECTIONS, IF ANY, DUE WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

February 9, 2010, instead of filing an amended complaint, Plaintiff filed a motion for a 30-day extension of time to file an amended complaint. On April 23, 2010, the Court granted Plaintiff's motion for an extension of time to file an amended complaint. The thirty (30) day period to file an amended complaint has now expired, and Plaintiff has not filed an amended complaint. Local Rule 110 provides that "failure of counsel or of a party to comply with these Rules or with any order of the Court may be grounds for imposition by the Court of any and all sanctions . . . within the inherent power of the Court." District courts have the inherent power to control their dockets and "[i]n the exercise of that power, they may impose sanctions including, where appropriate default or dismissal [of a case]." Thompson v. Housing Auth., 782 F.2d 829, 831 (9th Cir. 1986). 1

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A court may dismiss an action, with prejudice, based on a party's failure to prosecute an action, failure to obey a court order, or failure to comply with local rules. See, e.g. Ghazali v. Moran, 46 F.3d 52, 53-54 (9th Cir. 1995) (dismissal for noncompliance with local rule); Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258, 1260-61 (9th Cir. 1992) (dismissal for failure to comply with an order requiring amendment of complaint); Carey v. King, 856 F.2d 1439, 1440-41 (9th Cir. 1988) (dismissal for failure to comply with local rule requiring pro se plaintiffs to keep court apprised of address); Malone v. U.S. Postal Service, 833 F.2d 128, 130-31 (9th Cir. 1987) (dismissal for failure to comply with court order); Henderson v. Duncan, 779 F.2d 1421, 1424 (9th Cir. 1986) (dismissal for failure to lack of prosecution and failure to comply with local rules). In determining whether to dismiss an action for lack of prosecution, failure to obey a court order, or failure to comply with local rules, the court must consider several 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 alternatives. Thompson, 782 F.2d at 831; Henderson, 779 F.2d at 1423-24; Malone, 833 F.2d at 130; Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1260-61; Ghazali, 46 F.3d at 53. In the instant case, the Court finds that the public's interest in expeditiously resolving this litigation and the Court's interest in managing the docket weigh in favor of dismissal. The third factor, risk of prejudice to defendants, also weighs in favor of dismissal, since a presumption of injury arises from the occurrence of unreasonable delay in prosecuting an action. Anderson v. Air West, 542 F.2d 522, 524 (9th Cir. 1976). The fourth factor ­ public policy favoring disposition of cases on their merits ­ is greatly outweighed by the factors in favor of dismissal discussed herein. Finally, a court's warning to a party that her failure to obey the court's order will result in dismissal satisfies the "consideration of alternatives" requirement. Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1262; Malone, 833 F.2d at 132-33; Henderson, 779 F.2d at 1424. The Court's January 11, 2010, order expressly stated that "[i]f Plaintiff fails to comply with this order, this action will be dismissed." Thus, Plaintiff had adequate warning that dismissal would result from her noncompliance with the Court's order. Accordingly, the Court HEREBY RECOMMENDS that this action be dismissed based on plaintiff's failure to obey the Court's orders of January 11, 2010, and April 23, 2010. 2

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These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within thirty (30) days after being served with these findings and recommendations, plaintiff may file written objections with the Court. Such a document should be captioned "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations." Plaintiff is advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).

IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: ie14hj June 21, 2010 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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