The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
BARBARA BARROSSE CIVIL ACTION
VERSUS NO. 20-3147
NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER SECTION: “G”
CORPORATION et al.
ORDER
Before the Court is pro se Plaintiff Barbara Barrosse’s (“Barrosse”) “Motion to Stay the
Proceedings.”1 In the motion, Barrosse seeks a stay because she is currently facing related
criminal proceedings in the Twenty-Fourth Judicial District of the State of Louisiana, and she
submits that the criminal proceedings must be resolved before she can properly prosecute this
action.2
Defendant National Railroad Passenger Corporation (“Amtrak”) opposes the motion.3
Amtrak contends that, because this action has already gone on more than sixteen months, it ought
to have an opportunity to contest liability as soon as possible.4 Amtrak also states that it would
like to file a motion for summary judgment to dismiss what it calls a “frivolous” lawsuit.5
1 Rec. Doc. 18.
2 Id.
3 Rec. Doc. 20.
4 Id.
5 Id.
In Landis v. North American Co., the Supreme Court recognized that “the power to stay
proceedings is incidental to the power inherent in every court to control the disposition of the
causes on its docket with economy of time and effort for itself, for counsel, and for litigants.”6
The Supreme Court noted that “how this can best be done calls for the exercise of judgment,
which must weigh competing interests and maintain an even balance.”7 Therefore, a district court
has “discretionary power to stay proceedings before it in the control of its docket and in the
interests of justice.”8 Furthermore, a district court may exercise this discretionary power sua
sponte.9
Amtrack does not contest that the criminal charges pending against Barrosse impact her
ability to properly prosecute this case, and that those charges would likewise hinder her ability to
defend against a motion for summary judgment. However, the Court is cognizant of Amtrak’s
right to have this matter decided and recognizes that Amtrak has not caused the ongoing delay.
Therefore, the Court will put the onus on Barrosse to reinstate proceedings at an appropriate time
or face dismissal with prejudice for failure to prosecute. Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Motion to Stay10 is GRANTED. Within ninety
days of the entry of this order, Plaintiff shall file a motion to reopen the case or a motion to extend
the stay. Failure to do so will result in DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE of this matter without
6 299 U.S. 248, 254 (1936).
7 Id. at 254–55.
8 McKnight v. Blanchard, 667 F.2d 477, 479 (5th Cir. 1982).
9 See Begum v. Miner, No. 99-20027, 2000 WL 554953, at *1 n.1 (5th Cir. Apr. 20, 2000) (citing Murphy
v. Uncle Ben’s, Inc., 168 F.3d 734, 737 n.1 (5th Cir.1999) (“[W]e have held that the district court may sua sponte
stay a suit as a form of abstention.”).
10 Rec. Doc. 18.
further notice.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the above-captioned action is STAYED AND
ADMINISTRATIVELY CLOSED.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, this 20th day of April, 2022.
NANNETTE J Jol BROWN
CHIEF JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT