Villasenor v. City of Fairfield

Filing 41

ORDER and FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS signed by Magistrate Judge Kendall J. Newman on 3/30/2011 ORDERING that the hearing on the defendant's 36 Motion To Dismiss, Or, In The Alternative, Motion To Compel Disclosures And Discovery Responses And An Appearance At Deposition; and 38 Request For Sanctions, presently scheduled for April 14, 2011, is VACATED. It is FURTHER RECOMMENDED that Plaintiff's case be dismissed with prejudice as to all defendants pursuant to Rule 41(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Clerk of Court close this case and vacate all future dates in this case. Objections due within 14 days after being served with these findings and recommendations. (Duong, D)

-KJN (PS) Villasenor v. City of Fairfield

Doc. 41

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 Defendant City of Fairfield has indicated that it was incorrectly sued as Fairfield Police Department. Defendant City of Fairfield has filed the pending motion and is hereinafter referred to as the moving "defendant." 1
Dockets.Justia.com
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

HUGO VILLASENOR, Plaintiff, vs. FAIRFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT, CITY OF FAIRFIELD, and DOES 1 to 100, inclusive, Defendants. /

Case No. 2:09-cv-03182-JAM-KJN PS

ORDER and FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS

On February 1, 2011, defendant City of Fairfield1 filed a motion entitled "Motion To Dismiss, Or, In The Alternative, Motion To Compel Disclosures And Discovery Responses And An Appearance At Deposition; And Request For Sanctions" (the "Motion".) (Motion, Dkt. Nos. 36, 38.) The Motion sought to dismiss plaintiff's complaint pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) for failure to prosecute, or, in the alternative, to compel plaintiff's discovery responses, disclosures, and appearance at deposition pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil

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Procedure 37 and Eastern District Local Rule 251(e).2 (Motion, Dkt. No. 36.) Plaintiff has filed no written opposition, statement of non-opposition, or other response to the pending motion despite being given multiple opportunities to do so and despite clear warnings from the court that such failure would lead to the involuntary dismissal of his lawsuit. For the reasons that follow, the undersigned recommends that plaintiff's action be dismissed with prejudice pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b). I. BACKGROUND Defendant noticed its Motion for a hearing to take place before the undersigned on March 17, 2011. Pursuant to this court's Local Rules, plaintiff was obligated to file and serve a written opposition or statement of non-opposition to the pending motion at least fourteen days prior to the hearing date, or by March 3, 2011. See E.D. Local Rule 230(c).3 Plaintiff filed neither a written opposition nor a statement of non-opposition by that date. On March 8, 2011, and in response to plaintiff's failure to file a response to the Motion, the undersigned entered an order (the "Order") that: (1) continued the hearing on the Moving Defendants' motion to dismiss until April 14, 2011, to give plaintiff one more opportunity to file an opposition to defendant's pending motion, and (2) required plaintiff to file a written opposition or statement of non-opposition to the pending motion to dismiss on or before March 17, 2011. (Order, March 8, 2011, Dkt. No. 39.) The Order also expressly stated

This action proceeds before the undersigned pursuant to Eastern District of California Local Rule 302(c)(21) and 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1).
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Eastern District Local Rule 230(c) provides: (c) Opposition and Non-Opposition. Opposition, if any, to the granting of the motion shall be in writing and shall be filed and served not less than fourteen (14) days preceding the noticed (or continued) hearing date. A responding party who has no opposition to the granting of the motion shall serve and file a statement to that effect, specifically designating the motion in question. No party will be entitled to be heard in opposition to a motion at oral arguments if opposition to the motion has not been timely filed by that party. . . . 2

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that plaintiff's failure to file a written opposition by that date would be deemed a statement of non-opposition to the pending motion, consent to the granting of the motion to dismiss, and would constitute an additional ground for the imposition of appropriate sanctions, including a recommendation that plaintiff's case be involuntarily dismissed pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b). (Id. at 4.) That Order also stated, in part: Eastern District Local Rule 110 provides that "[f]ailure 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 authorized by statute or Rule or within the inherent power of the Court." Moreover, Eastern District Local Rule 183(a) provides, in part: Any individual representing himself or herself without an attorney is bound by the Federal Rules of Civil or Criminal Procedure, these Rules, and all other applicable law. All obligations placed on "counsel" by these Rules apply to individuals appearing in propria persona. Failure to comply therewith may be ground for dismissal . . . or any other sanction appropriate under these Rules. See also King v. Atiyeh, 814 F.2d 565, 567 (9th Cir. 1987) ("Pro se litigants must follow the same rules of procedure that govern other litigants."). Case law is in accord that a district court may impose sanctions, including involuntary dismissal of a plaintiff's case pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b), where that plaintiff fails to prosecute his or her case or fails to comply with the court's orders, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, or the court's local rules. See Chambers v. NASCO, Inc., 501 U.S. 32, 44 (1991) (recognizing that a court "may act sua sponte to dismiss a suit for failure to prosecute"); Hells Canyon Preservation Council v. U.S. Forest Serv., 403 F.3d 683, 689 (9th Cir. 2005) (stating that courts may dismiss an action pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) sua sponte for a plaintiff's failure to prosecute or comply with the rules of civil procedure or the court's orders); Ghazali v. Moran, 46 F.3d 52, 53 (9th Cir. 1995) (per curiam) ("Failure to follow a district court's local rules is a proper ground for dismissal."); Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258, 1260 (9th Cir. 1992) ("Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b), the district court may dismiss an action for failure to comply with any order of the court."); Thompson v. Housing Auth. of City of L.A., 782 F.2d 829, 831 (9th Cir. 1986) (per curiam) (stating that district courts have inherent power to control their dockets and may impose sanctions including dismissal).

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(Id. at 2-3 (emphasis in original, footnote omitted).)4 Later in that Order, the court again warned plaintiff that: "Plaintiff's failure to file a written opposition by this date will be deemed a statement of non-opposition to the pending motion and consent to the granting of the motion to dismiss, and shall constitute an additional ground for the imposition of appropriate sanctions, including a recommendation that plaintiff's case be involuntarily dismissed pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b)." (Id. at 4.) Thus, the court gave plaintiff very clear warnings that his case would be dismissed for failure to prosecute his action, as well as his failure to comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the court's orders, or the court's Local Rules. The court's docket reveals that plaintiff has again failed to file a written opposition or statement of non-opposition to the Motion despite the extended March 17, 2011, deadline set in the Order. Despite the clear directions within the Order, plaintiff filed no written opposition, no statement of non-opposition, nor any other document. Plaintiff's repeated failure to file an opposition to the Motion is grounds for dismissal of his suit. II. DISCUSSION Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b), a district court may dismiss an action for failure to prosecute, failure to comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, failure to comply with the court's local rules, or failure to comply with the court's orders.5 See, e.g., Chambers v. NASCO, Inc., 501 U.S. 32, 44 (1991) (recognizing that a court "may act sua sponte to dismiss a suit for failure to prosecute"); Hells Canyon Preservation Council v. U.S.

The order also included the following footnote, which is omitted in the above-quoted text: "The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals had held that under certain circumstances a district court does not abuse its discretion by dismissing a plaintiff's case pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) for failing to file an opposition to a motion to dismiss. See, e.g., Trice v. Clark County Sch. Dist., 376 Fed. Appx. 789, 790 (9th Cir. 2010)." (Order, at 3 n.4.) Rule 41(b) provides, in part: "(b) Involuntary Dismissal; Effect. If the plaintiff fails to prosecute or to comply with these rules or a court order, a defendant may move to dismiss the action or any claim against it." Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b). 4
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Forest Serv., 403 F.3d 683, 689 (9th Cir. 2005) (recognizing that courts may dismiss an action pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) sua sponte for a plaintiff's failure to prosecute or comply with the rules of civil procedure or the court's orders); Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258, 1260 (9th Cir. 1992) ("Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b), the district court may dismiss an action for failure to comply with any order of the court."); Pagtalunan v. Galaza, 291 F.3d 639, 642-43 (9th Cir. 2002) (affirming district court's dismissal of case for failure to prosecute when habeas petitioner failed to file a first amended petition). This court's Local Rules are in accord. See E.D. Local Rule 110 ("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 authorized by statute or Rule or within the inherent power of the Court."); E.D. Local Rule 183(a) (providing that a pro se party's failure to comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the court's Local Rules, and other applicable law may support, among other things, dismissal of that party's action). A court must weigh five factors in determining whether to dismiss a case for failure to prosecute, failure to comply with a court order, or failure to comply with a district court's local rules. See, e.g., Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1260. Specifically, the court must consider: (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. Id. at 1260-61; accord Pagtalunan, 291 F.3d at 642-43; Ghazali v. Moran, 46 F.3d 52, 53 (9th Cir. 1995). The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has stated that "[t]hese factors are not a series of conditions precedent before the judge can do anything, but a way for a district judge to think about what to do." In re Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Prods. Liab. Litig., 460 F.3d 1217, 1226 (9th Cir. 2006). Although involuntary dismissal can be a harsh remedy, the five relevant factors weigh in favor of dismissal of this action. The first two factors strongly support dismissal of this 5

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action. Plaintiff's failure to file an opposition or statement of non-opposition to the Motion in the first instance, and his failure to do so a second time despite clear warnings of the consequences for such failures strongly suggests that plaintiff has abandoned this action or is not interested in seriously prosecuting it. See, e.g., Yourish v. Cal. Amplifier, 191 F.3d 983, 990 (9th Cir. 1999) ("The public's interest in expeditious resolution of litigation always favors dismissal."). Moreover, although plaintiff had notice of the continued hearing date and his potentially final opportunity to file a response to the Motion on or before March 17, 2011, plaintiff took no action. Any further time spent by the court on this case, which plaintiff has demonstrated a lack of any serious intention to pursue, will consume scarce judicial resources and take away from other active cases. See Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1261 (recognizing that district courts have inherent power to manage their dockets without being subject to noncompliant litigants). In addition, the third factor, which considers prejudice to a defendant as a result of plaintiff's failure to timely oppose its motion to dismiss, should be given some weight. See Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1262. A motion to dismiss is an aid to simplifying the issues and dismissing improper claims or parties before discovery ensues. Plaintiff's failure to oppose the Motion after being given two opportunities to do so, and his failure to communicate with the court or explain his non-participation in this litigation, raises the real possibility that the defendants in this action may be forced to unnecessarily engage in further litigation against claims that plaintiff does not appear to value enough to pursue in a serious manner. Indeed, the moving defendant has been diligently pursuing its motion to dismiss, and plaintiff stalled this matter and prevented the efficient resolution of his lawsuit. Moreover, unreasonable delay is presumed to be prejudicial. See, e.g., In re Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Prods. Liab. Litig., 460 F.3d at 1227. The fifth factor, which considers the availability of less drastic measures, also supports dismissal of this action. As noted above, the court has pursued remedies that are less drastic than a recommendation of dismissal. See Malone v. U.S. Postal Serv., 833 F.2d 128, 132 6

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(9th Cir. 1987) ("[E]xplicit discussion of alternatives is unnecessary if the district court actually tries alternatives before employing the ultimate sanction of dismissal."). The court excused plaintiff's initial failure to oppose the Motion, granted plaintiff substantial additional time to file an opposition or statement of non-opposition, and continued the hearing on the motion to dismiss. Moreover, the court advised plaintiff of the requirement of opposing a motion to dismiss and informed him of the requirements of the Local Rules. Furthermore, the court advised plaintiff that he was required to comply with the court's Local Rules and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure even though he is proceeding without counsel. It also warned plaintiff in clear terms that failure to comply with the court's orders would result in a recommendation of dismissal. Warning a plaintiff that failure to take steps towards resolution of his or her action on the merits will result in dismissal satisfies the requirement that the court consider the alternatives. See, e.g., Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1262 ("[O]ur decisions also suggest that a district court's warning to a party that his failure to obey the court's order will result in dismissal can satisfy the `consideration of alternatives' requirement.") (citing Malone, 833 F.2d at 132-33). At this juncture, the court finds no suitable alternative to a recommendation for dismissal of this action. The court also recognizes the importance of giving due weight to the fourth factor, which addresses the public policy favoring disposition of cases on the merits. However, for the reasons set forth above, factors one, two, three, and five strongly support a recommendation for dismissal of this action, and factor four does not materially counsel otherwise. Dismissal is proper "where at least four factors support dismissal or where at least three factors `strongly' support dismissal." Hernandez v. City of El Monte, 138 F.3d 393, 399 (9th Cir. 1998) (citations and quotation marks omitted). Under the circumstances of this case, the other relevant factors outweigh the general public policy favoring disposition of actions on their merits. See Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1263. In light of the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 1. The hearing on the defendant's Motion To Dismiss, Or, In The 7

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Alternative, Motion To Compel Disclosures And Discovery Responses And An Appearance At Deposition; And Request For Sanctions" (Motion, Dkt. Nos. 36, 38), presently scheduled for April 14, 2011, is vacated. It is FURTHER RECOMMENDED that: 1. Plaintiff's case be dismissed with prejudice as to all defendants pursuant to

Rule 41(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 2. The Clerk of Court close this case and vacate all future dates in this case.

These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen 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. Id.; see also E.D. Local Rule 304(b). Such a document should be captioned "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations." Any response to the objections shall be filed with the court and served on all parties within seven days after service of the objections. E.D. Local Rule 304(d). Failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order. Turner v. Duncan, 158 F.3d 449, 455 (9th Cir. 1998); Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153, 1156-57 (9th Cir. 1991). IT IS SO ORDERED AND RECOMMENDED. DATED: March 29, 2011

_____________________________________ KENDALL J. NEWMAN UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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