Hicks v. Sexton et al

Filing 20

ORDER re Plaintiff's 19 Notice of Voluntary Dismissal Under Rule 41; Order Directing Clerk to Close File, signed by Magistrate Judge Gary S. Austin on 9/12/18. CASE CLOSED. (Gonzalez, R)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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MICHAEL J. HICKS,

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Plaintiff,

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vs.
M. V. SEXTON, et al.,
Defendants.

1:18-cv-00764-LJO-GSA-PC
ORDER RE PLAINTIFF’S NOTICE OF
VOLUNTARY DISMISSAL UNDER
RULE 41
(ECF No. 19.)
ORDER DIRECTING CLERK TO CLOSE
FILE

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Michael J. Hicks (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis

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with this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On June 5, 2018, Plaintiff filed the

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Complaint commencing this action. (ECF No. 1.)

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On September 10, 2018, Plaintiff filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of this case. (ECF

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No. 19.) Plaintiff has a right to voluntarily dismiss this case under Rule 41 of the Federal Rules

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of Civil Procedure. In Wilson v. City of San Jose, the Ninth Circuit explained:

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Under Rule 41(a)(1), a plaintiff has an absolute right to voluntarily dismiss
his action prior to service by the defendant of an answer or a motion for summary
judgment. Concha v. London, 62 F.3d 1493, 1506 (9th Cir. 1995) (citing
Hamilton v. Shearson-Lehman American Express, 813 F.2d 1532, 1534 (9th Cir.
1987)). A plaintiff may dismiss his action so long as the plaintiff files a notice of
dismissal prior to the defendant’s service of an answer or motion for summary
judgment. The dismissal is effective on filing and no court order is required. Id.
The plaintiff may dismiss some or all of the defendants, or some or all of his
claims, through a Rule 41(a)(1) notice. Id.; Pedrina v. Chun, 987 F.2d 608, 60910 (9th Cir. 1993). The filing of a notice of voluntary dismissal with the court
automatically terminates the action as to the defendants who are the subjects of
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the notice. Concha, 62 F.2d at 1506. Unless otherwise stated, the dismissal is
ordinarily without prejudice to the plaintiff's right to commence another action for
the same cause against the same defendants. Id. (citing McKenzie v. DavenportHarris Funeral Home, 834 F.2d 930, 934-35 (9th Cir. 1987)). Such a dismissal
leaves the parties as though no action had been brought. Id.

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Wilson v. City of San Jose, 111 F.3d 688, 692 (9th Cir. 1997). No defendant has filed an answer

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or motion for summary judgment in this case. Therefore, Plaintiff’s notice of dismissal is

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effective, and this case shall be closed.

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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

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1.

Plaintiff’s notice of dismissal is effective as of the date it was filed;

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2.

This case is DISMISSED in its entirety without prejudice;

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3.

The Clerk of the Court is DIRECTED to close the file in this case and adjust the

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docket to reflect voluntary dismissal of this action pursuant to Rule 41(a).

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IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated:

September 12, 2018

/s/ Gary S. Austin
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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