Watson v. Torruella et al

Filing 32

ORDER signed by Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan on 2/4/09 ORDERING that w/in 20 days pltf to file an opposition to the 29 motion for summary judgment or statement of no opposition; failure to comply will result in a recommendation that this action be dismissed; the court does not intend to grant pltf further extensions of time. (Yin, K)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 vs. J. TORUELLA, et al., Defendants. / Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding without counsel in an action brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On August 7, 2008, defendants Galloway, Milliman, and Torruella filed a motion for summary judgment. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56. On September 3, 2008, plaintiff filed a document styled "Opposition to Motion for Summary Judgment; Request for Continuance." The document, however, is not an opposition to the motion. Rather, it is a request for 60 additional days in which to file an opposition. To date, plaintiff has not filed an opposition or a statement of no opposition and plaintiff is not in compliance with the local rules for timely filing an opposition or timely requesting an extension of time. This court has no rule that automatically suspends the time to act once a party files a request for additional time. Merely submitting a request does not, itself, modify the due date. ////
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA GARRY P. WATSON, Plaintiff, No. CIV S-06-1475 LKK EFB P

ORDER

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In cases in which one party is incarcerated and proceeding without counsel, motions ordinarily are submitted on the record without oral argument. Local Rule 78-230(m). "Opposition, if any, to the granting of the motion shall be served and filed with the Clerk by the responding party not more than eighteen (18) days, plus three (3) days for mailing or electronic service, after the date of service of the motion." Id. A responding party's failure "to file written opposition or to file a statement of no opposition may be deemed a waiver of any opposition to the granting of the motion and may result in the imposition of sanctions." Id. Furthermore, a party's failure to comply with any order or with the Local Rules "may be grounds for imposition of any and all sanctions authorized by statute or Rule or within the inherent power of the Court." Local Rule 11-110. The court may recommend that an action be dismissed with or without prejudice, as appropriate, if a party disobeys an order or the Local Rules. See Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258, 1252 (9th Cir. 1992) (district court did not abuse discretion in dismissing pro se plaintiff's complaint for failing to obey an order to re-file an amended complaint to comply with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure); Carey v. King, 856 F.2d 1439, 1440-41 (9th Cir. 1988) (dismissal for pro se plaintiff's failure to comply with local rule regarding notice of change of address affirmed); On December 6, 2007, the court cautioned plaintiff of the requirements for filing an opposition to the motion, that failure to oppose such a motion may be deemed a waiver of opposition to the motion and that failure to comply with the Local Rules may result in a recommendation of dismissal. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that, within 20 days of the date of this order, plaintiff shall file either an opposition to the motion for summary judgment or a statement of no opposition. Failure to comply with this order will result in a recommendation that this action be dismissed without prejudice. The court does not intend to grant plaintiff further extensions of time. DATED: February 4, 2009.
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