Peterson v. Alford et al

Filing 6

MEMORANDUM OPINION. This case will be dismissed without prejudice for want of prosecution. If plaintiff notifies the court of his new address w/in 30 days of the date set forth below, the court will vacate the judgment and reinstate this case on the court's active docket. Signed by Judge Thad Heartfield on 8/31/09. (bjc, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS BEAUMONT DIVISION XAVERY PETERSON VS. WARDEN ALFORD § § § MEMORANDUM OPINION Plaintiff Xavery Peterson, proceeding pro se, filed the abovestyled civil rights lawsuit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Discussion The court previously entered an order directing plaintiff to either pay the filing fee or submit an application to proceed in forma pauperis. A copy of this order was sent to plaintiff at 2909 CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:09cv333

Louisiana Street, Bryan, Texas 77803, the address provided to the court by plaintiff. The copy of the order sent to plaintiff was

returned to the court as unclaimed. Plaintiff has not provided the court with a new address. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) authorizes the district court to dismiss an action for want of prosecution sua sponte whenever necessary to achieve the orderly and expeditious

disposition of cases.

Anthony v. Marion County General Hospital, See also McCullough v. The orderly and

617 F.2d 1164, 1167 (5th Cir. 1980). Lynaugh, 835 F.2d 1126 (5th Cir.

1988).

expeditious disposition of cases requires that if a litigant's address changes, he has a duty to inform the court of the change. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has said

It is neither feasible nor legally required that the clerks of the district courts undertake independently to maintain current addresses on all parties to pending actions. It is incumbent upon litigants to inform the court of address changes, for it is manifest that communications between the clerk and the parties or their counsel will be conducted principally by mail. In addition to keeping the clerk informed of any change of address, parties are obliged to make timely status inquiries. Address changes normally would be reflected by those inquiries if made in writing. Shannon v. State of Louisiana, 1988 WL 54768, No. 87-3951 (E.D. La. May 23, 1988) (quoting Perkins v. King, No. 84-3310 (5th Cir. May 19, 1985)); see also Carey v. King, 856 F.2d 1439, 1441 (9th Cir. 1988) (per curiam) (pro se plaintiff's case dismissed for failure to prosecute when he failed to keep the court apprised of his current address). The exercise of the power to dismiss for failure to prosecute is committed to the sound discretion of the court and appellate review is confined solely in whether the court's

discretion was abused.

Green v. Forney Engineering Co., 589 F.2d

243, 244 (5th Cir. 1979); Lopez v. Aransas County Independent School District, 570 F.2d 541, 544 (5th Cir. 1978). By not providing the court with his correct address, plaintiff has prevented the court from communicating with him and moving this case towards resolution. prosecute this case. Conclusion For the reasons set forth above, this case will be dismissed without prejudice for want of prosecution. judgment shall be entered. An appropriate final He has therefore failed to diligently

If plaintiff notifies the court of his

new address within 30 days of the date set forth below, the court

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will vacate the judgement and reinstate this case on the court's active docket. SIGNED this the 31 day of August, 2009.

____________________________ Thad Heartfield United States District Judge

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