Eifert v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. et al.,

Filing 16

FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATIONS, recommending that this action be dismissed with prejudice, signed by Magistrate Judge Kimberly J. Mueller on 4/2/2009. Within 10 days after being served with these F/Rs, any party may file written Objections with Court and serve a copy on all parties. (Marciel, M)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Defendants. 15 / 16 Plaintiff initiated this action in state court on August 21, 2008; it was timely 17 removed to this court on December 16, 2008. In the order setting status conference, filed 18 December 16, 2008, plaintiff was advised of the requirements for timely filing opposition to 19 motions. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss on December 22, 2008, to which plaintiff did not 20 timely respond. By order filed January 29, 2009, plaintiff was given additional time in which to 21 file opposition to defendants' motion and was cautioned that failure to file opposition would be 22 deemed as a statement of non-opposition. Plaintiff still has not filed an opposition and failed to 23 appear at the hearing on the motion to dismiss. 24 The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provide for dismissal of actions based on 25 lack of prosecution. Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b). Pro se litigants are bound by the rules of procedure, 26 1 vs. MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., et al., FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS JAMES EIFFERT, Plaintiffs, No. CIV S-08-3045 GEB KJM PS IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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even though pleadings are liberally construed in their favor. King v. Atiyeh, 814 F.2d 565, 567 (9th Cir. 1987). In determining whether to dismiss for lack of prosecution, generally the court considers (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 sanctions. See, e.g., Al-Torki v. Kaempen, 78 F.3d 1381, 1384 (9th Cir. 1996). The court may dismiss a case sua sponte for lack of prosecution by the plaintiff. Hamilton Copper & Steel Corp. v. Primary Steel, Inc., 898 F.2d 1428 (9th Cir. 1990). Sua sponte dismissal requires a "close focus" on consideration of "less drastic alternatives" and whether or not there has been a "warning of imminent dismissal of the case." Oliva v. Sullivan, 958 F.2d 272, 274 (9th Cir. 1992). In determining that this action will be dismissed, the court has considered all the factors set forth in Al-Torki. The first two factors on their face favor the imposition of sanctions in this case which has been pending for some time. Compare Wanderer v. Johnston, 910 F.2d 652, 656 (9th Cir.1990). Regarding the third factor, defendants already have briefed their motion to dismiss, and would be prejudiced by the need for further litigation of this matter despite plaintiff's non-responsiveness. Moreover, delay itself generally is prejudicial--witnesses' memories fade and evidence becomes stale or undiscoverable. While the fourth factor favors resolution on the merits, in this case plaintiff has declined to oppose the motion to dismiss and has thus precluded the court's evaluation of the potential merits of such an opposition. Under these circumstances, the fourth factor is outweighed by the others. Focusing on the fifth Al-Torki factor and warning regarding imminent dismissal, as required by Oliva, the court in its January 29, 2009 order advised plaintiff that this action would be subject to dismissal, directed plaintiff to file opposition, and granted ample additional time to oppose the pending motion after plaintiff failed to timely oppose defendants' motion to dismiss, all to no avail. From plaintiff's failure to respond to the most recent order as well as plaintiff's failure to appear at the hearing on the motion to dismiss, it appears that plaintiff has 2

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abandoned this litigation. The court therefore concludes there is no suitable alternative less drastic sanction to dismissal. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that this action be dismissed with prejudice. 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 ten days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations." Any reply to the objections shall be served and filed within ten days after service of the objections. The parties are 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). DATED: April 2, 2009.

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