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
JONHA DON BELL PLAINTIFF
v. Civil No. 2:23-CV-02121-TLB-MEF
JAIL ADMINISTRATOR JACOB SHOOK,
Johnson County Detention Center, and
PAROLE OFFICER BEN HOLLAND DEFENDANTS
MAGISTRATE JUDGE’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
This is a civil rights action filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Pursuant to the provisions of 28
U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and (3), the Honorable Timothy L. Brooks, United States District Judge,
referred this case to the undersigned for the purpose of making a Report and Recommendation.
Currently before the Court is Plaintiff’s failure to obey a Court Order and failure to prosecute this
case.
I. BACKGROUND
Plaintiff filed his Complaint on October 13, 2023. (ECF No. 1). Plaintiff was granted in
forma pauperis (“IFP”) status that same day. (ECF No. 3). The Order granting IFP status advised
him that he must keep the Court apprised of his mailing address or his case would be dismissed.
(Id.). On October 16, 2023, the Court entered an Order directing Plaintiff to submit an Amended
Complaint to correct deficiencies in his initial Complaint. (ECF No. 6).
On November 3, 2023, mail sent to Plaintiff in the Johnson County Detention Center was
returned as undeliverable indicating Plaintiff was no longer in the facility. (ECF No. 7). The
deadline for Plaintiff to submit his new address was set for December 4, 2023. (Id.). On November
13, 2023, the Order directing Plaintiff to submit an Amended Complaint was also returned as
undeliverable, indicating the mail had been refused. (ECF No. 8). To date, Plaintiff has not
communicated with the Court since filing his Complaint.
II. LEGAL STANDARD
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. .
.. 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).
III. ANALYSIS
Plaintiff has failed to keep the Court apprised of his current address as required by Local
Rule 5.5(c)(2). Plaintiff has failed to comply with a Court Order. Plaintiff has failed to prosecute
this matter. Accordingly, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) and Local Rule
5.5(c)(2), Plaintiff’s Complaint should be dismissed without prejudice for failure to comply with
the Court’s Local Rules and Orders and failure to prosecute this case.
IV. CONCLUSION
Accordingly, it is recommended that Plaintiff’s Complaint (ECF No. 1) be DISMISSED
WIHTOUT PREJUDICE.
The parties have fourteen (14) days from receipt of the Report and Recommendation
in which to file written objections pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). The failure to file timely
objections may result in waiver of the right to appeal questions of fact. The parties are
reminded that objections must be both timely and specific to trigger de novo review by the
district court.
DATED this 19th day of December 2023.
/s/
HON. MARK E. FORD
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE