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
FORT SMITH DIVISION
ROBERT LLOYD LEAR PLAINTIFF
v. Civil No. 2:20-cv-02241
SHERIFF RON BROWN;
NURSE GOODWIN;
and DR. WHITE DEFENDANTS
ORDER
Currently before the Court is Plaintiff’s failure to obey a Court order and failure to
prosecute this case. This is a civil rights action filed by Plaintiff pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
Plaintiff, Robert Lloyd Lear, proceeds in this matter pro se and in forma pauperis. (ECF Nos. 1,
2, 3).
Plaintiff’s Complaint was filed on December 22, 2020. (ECF No. 1). On January 7, 2021,
Plaintiff was directed to file an amended complaint by January 21, 2021. (ECF No. 6). The Order
states: “Failure to comply with this Order shall subject the case to dismissal.” (ECF No. 6).
An Order to Show Cause was entered on February 2, 2021. (ECF No. 7). Plaintiff was
given until February 16, 2021, to show cause why he failed to obey the Order of the Court. (Id.).
The Plaintiff has not responded to the Court’s Order.
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). 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).
Plaintiff has failed to obey an order of the Court and has failed to prosecute this matter.
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) and Local Rule 5.5(c)(2), Plaintiff’s Complaint
(ECF No. 1) should be and hereby is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
IT IS SO ORDERED THIS 2nd day of March 2021.
/s/ P. K. Holmes, III
P.K. HOLMES, III
U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE