Atkins v. Laws et al
Filing
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MEMORANDUM OPINION. This action will be DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE, sua sponte, for want of prosecution. The Court CERTIFIES that any appeal from this action would not be taken in good faith and would be totally frivolous. An Appropriate Order Will Enter. Signed by District Judge Curtis L Collier on 6/20/2018. (AML, ) Copy of M/O mailed to Richard Atkins.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
AT GREENEVILLE
RICHARD ALLAN ATKINS,
Plaintiff,
v.
TERESA LAWS, ESCO JARNIGAN,
and DOUG RICH,
Defendants.
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No. 2:17-CV-230-CLC-MCLC
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This pro se prisoner’s civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 was filed on December
20, 2017 [Doc. 2]. On March 7, 2018, the Court found that Plaintiff’s complaint, as pled, did not
state a claim upon which relief may be granted, but allowed Plaintiff to file an amended complaint
within twenty-one (21) days of the entry of the Court’s Order [Doc. 4 p. 10]. Plaintiff filed a
motion for an extension of time to file an amended complaint on April 2, 2018 [Doc. 5]. On April
11, 2018, the Court granted Plaintiff’s motion for an extension of time, and allowed Plaintiff thirty
days from the date of entry of the Court’s Order to file an amended complaint [Doc. 6]. After
Plaintiff filed to respond or file an amended complaint within thirty days, on May 25, 2018, the
Court ordered Plaintiff to show cause within fifteen days as to why his case should not be dismissed
due to lack of prosecution [Doc. 7].
More than fifteen days have passed, and Plaintiff has failed to amend his complaint or
otherwise respond to the Court’s Order. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) gives this Court
the authority to dismiss a case for “failure of the plaintiff to prosecute or to comply with these
rules or any order of the court.” See, e.g., Nye Capital Appreciation Partners, L.L.C. v. Nemchik,
483 F. App’x 1, 9 (6th Cir. 2012); Knoll v. Am. Tel. & Tel. Co., 176 F.3d 359, 362–63 (6th Cir.
1999). Involuntary dismissal under Rule 41(b) “operates as an adjudication on the merits.” Fed.
R. Civ. P. 41(b); see Link v. Wabash R.R. Co., 370 U.S. 626, 629 (1962) (“The authority of a
federal trial court to dismiss a plaintiff’s action with prejudice because of his failure to prosecute
cannot seriously be doubted.”).
The Court examines four factors when considering dismissal under Rule 41(b):
(1) whether the party’s failure is due to willfulness, bad faith or fault; (2) whether
the adversary was prejudiced by the dismissed party’s conduct; (3) whether the
dismissed party was warned that failure to cooperate could lead to dismissal; and
(4) whether less drastic sanctions were imposed or considered before dismissal was
ordered.
Wu v. T.W. Wang, Inc., 420 F.3d 641, 643 (6th Cir. 2005).
As to the first factor, the Court finds Plaintiff’s failure to respond or comply can be
attributed to his own willfulness or fault. Plaintiff failed to file an amended complaint, despite
being instructed by the Court to do so. Pursuant to Local Rule 83.13, it is the duty of a pro se party
to promptly notify the Clerk and the other parties to the proceedings of any change in his or her
address, to monitor the progress of the case, and to prosecute or defend the action diligently. E.D.
Tenn. L.R. 83.13. “Pro se status does not exempt a plaintiff from the requirement that he comply
with relevant rules of procedural and substantive law.” Thorpe v. Ragozzine, No. 1:07-cv-155,
2008 WL 1859878, at *1 (E.D. Tenn. Apr. 23, 2008) (citing Hulsey v. Texas, 929 F.2d 168, 171
(5th Cir. 1991)). Accordingly, the Court finds the first factor weighs in favor of dismissal.
The second factor does not weigh in favor of dismissal; as the Defendants have not been
served, they have not been prejudiced by the delay. However, the third factor clearly weighs in
favor of dismissal, as Plaintiff has failed to comply with several of the Court’s orders, despite
being expressly warned of the possible consequences of such a failure. Finally, the Court finds
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alternative sanctions would not be effective. Plaintiff filed a motion for leave to proceed in forma
pauperis; therefore, the Court has no indication Plaintiff has the ability to pay a monetary fine.
Additionally, the Court has provided Plaintiff with several opportunities to respond in order to
avoid dismissal. The Court thus concludes that, in total, the factors weigh in favor of dismissal of
Plaintiff’s action with prejudice pursuant to Rule 41(b).
Accordingly, this action will be DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE, sua sponte, for want
of prosecution. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b); see also Link v. Wabash R.R. Co., 370 U.S. 626, 630–
31 (1962) (recognizing the court’s authority to dismiss a case with prejudice sua sponte for lack
of prosecution); White v. City of Grand Rapids, 34 F. App’x 210, 211 (6th Cir. 2002) (finding that
a pro se prisoner’s complaint “was subject to dismissal for want of prosecution because he failed
to keep the district court apprised of his current address”); Jourdan v. Jabe, 951 F.2d 108, 110 (6th
Cir. 1991). The Court CERTIFIES that any appeal from this action would not be taken in good
faith and would be totally frivolous. See Fed. R. App. P. 24. Therefore, should Plaintiff file a
notice of appeal, he will be DENIED leave to appeal in forma pauperis.
See 28 U.S.C.
§ 1915(a)(3); Fed. R. App. P. 24.
AN APPROPRIATE ORDER WILL ENTER.
/s/
CURTIS L. COLLIER
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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