Carlson v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 14

ORDER to SHOW CAUSE Why the Action Should Not Be Dismissed for Plaintiff's Failure to Prosecute and Failure to Comply with the Court's Order, signed by Magistrate Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on 5/24/2017. Show Cause Response due within 14 days. (Hall, S)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

9

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

10
11

SHON KIM CARLSON,
Plaintiff,

12
13
14

v.
NANCY A. BERRYHILL1,
Acting Commissioner of Social Security,

15
Defendant.
16
17

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

Case No.: 1:16-cv-01459 - JLT
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE WHY THE ACTION
SHOULD NOT BE DISMISSED FOR
PLAINTIFF’S FAILURE TO PROSECUTE AND
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE COURT’S
ORDER

Plaintiff Shon Kim Carlson initiated this action by filing a complaint on September 30, 2016,

18

seeking judicial review of the decision to denying her application for Social Security benefits. (Doc. 1)

19

On October 27, 2016, the Court issued its Scheduling Order, setting forth the applicable deadlines.

20

(Doc. 7) Pursuant to the Scheduling Order, the administrative record was filed on March 30, 2017.

21

(Doc. 10)

22

In the Court’s Scheduling Order, Plaintiff was ordered to serve “a letter brief outlining the

23

reasons why he/she contends that a remand is warranted” within thirty days of the date of service for

24

the administrative record. (Doc. 7 at 2) As set forth in the Scheduling Order, “The letter brief shall

25

succinctly set forth the relevant issues and reasons for the remand. The letter brief itself shall NOT be

26
27
1

28

Nancy A. Berryhill is now the Acting Commissioner of Social Security. Pursuant to Rule 25(d) of the Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure, the Court substitutes Nancy A. Berryhill for her predecessor, Carolyn W. Colvin, as the
defendant.

1

1

filed with the court and it shall be marked ‘confidential.’” (Id.) However, Plaintiff was directed to file

2

“[a] separate proof of service reflecting that the letter brief was served” upon the Commissioner.

3

(Doc. 7 at 2) To date, Plaintiff has not filed a proof of service, and has not requested an extension of

4

time to serve the confidential letter brief.

5

The Local Rules, corresponding with Fed. R. Civ. P. 11, provide: “Failure of counsel or of a

6

party to comply with . . . any order of the Court may be grounds for the imposition by the Court of any

7

and all sanctions . . . within the inherent power of the Court.” Local Rule 110. “District courts have

8

inherent power to control their dockets,” and in exercising that power, a court may impose sanctions

9

including dismissal of an action. Thompson v. Housing Authority of Los Angeles, 782 F.2d 829, 831

10

(9th Cir. 1986). A court may dismiss an action with prejudice, based on a party’s failure to prosecute

11

an action or failure to obey a court order, or failure to comply with local rules. See, e.g. Ferdik v.

12

Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258, 1260-61 (9th Cir. 1992) (dismissal for failure to comply with an order);

13

Malone v. U.S. Postal Service, 833 F.2d 128, 130 (9th Cir. 1987) (dismissal for failure to comply with

14

a court order); Henderson v. Duncan, 779 F.2d 1421, 1424 (9th Cir. 1986) (dismissal for failure to

15

prosecute and to comply with local rules).

16

Accordingly, within 14 days Plaintiff is ORDERED to show cause why the action should not

17

be dismissed for failure to prosecute or to follow the Court’s Order or to proof of service of the

18

confidential letter brief.

19
20
21
22

IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated:

May 24, 2017

/s/ Jennifer L. Thurston
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

23
24
25
26
27
28
2