stating that the district court possesses the power to dismiss sua sponte under Rule 41(b)
How later courts described this case
- stating that the district court possesses the power to dismiss sua sponte under Rule 41(b)
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
HOT SPRINGS DIVISION
AVERY GARDNER PLAINTIFF
v. Civil No. 6:16-cv-6108
TERRIE BANISTER DEFENDANT
ORDER
Currently before the Court is Plaintiff Avery Gardner’s failure to obey a Court Order.
Plaintiff proceeds in this matter pro se and in forma pauperis pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
On August 31, 2017, Defendant Terrie Banister filed a Second Motion for Summary
Judgment. (ECF No. 35). On September 19, 2017, the Court entered an Order directing Plaintiff
to respond to the Second Summary Judgment Motion by October 3, 2017. (ECF No. 39). The
Court’s September 19, 2017, Order advised Plaintiff that failure to respond to the Summary
Judgment Motion could subject this case to dismissal. On October 19, 2017, the Court extended
Plaintiff’s time to respond to the Summary Judgment Motion until November 2, 2017. (ECF No.
44). As of the date of this Order, Plaintiff has not filed a Response to the Second Motion for
Summary Judgment.
Although pro se pleadings are to be construed liberally, a pro se litigant is not excused
from complying with substantive and procedural law. Burgs v. Sissel, 745 F.2d 526, 528 (8th Cir.
1984). The Local Rules state in pertinent part:
It is the duty of any party not represented by counsel 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.
A party appearing for himself/herself shall sign his/her pleadings. . . . If any
communication from the Court to a pro se plaintiff is not responded to within thirty
(30) days, the case may be dismissed without prejudice. Any party proceeding pro
se shall be expected to be familiar with and follow the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure.
Local Rule 5.5(c)(2).
Additionally, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure specifically contemplate dismissal of a
case on the grounds that the plaintiff failed to prosecute or failed to comply with orders of the
court. Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b); Link v. Wabash R.R. Co., 370 U.S. 626, 630-31 (1962) (stating that
the district court possesses the power to dismiss sua sponte under Rule 41(b)). Pursuant to Rule
41(b), a district court has the power to dismiss an action based on “the plaintiff’s failure to comply
with any court order.” Brown v. Frey, 806 F.2d 801, 803-04 (8th Cir. 1986) (emphasis added).
In the present case, Plaintiff has failed to comply with the Court’s Order directing him to
respond to Defendant’s Second Summary Judgment Motion. Plaintiff has also failed to prosecute
this matter. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) and Local Rule 5.5(c)(2), the Court
finds that Plaintiff’s Complaint should be dismissed for failure to comply with the Court’s Local
Rules and Orders and failure to prosecute this case. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s Complaint (ECF No.
1) is hereby DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
IT IS SO ORDERED, this 8th day of March, 2018.
/s/ Susan O. Hickey
Susan O. Hickey
United States District Judge