Opinion
Case No. 2:16-cv-870
02-21-2017
Billy Finley, Plaintiff, v. Gary Mohr, Director, et al., Defendants.
JUDGE ALGENON L. MARBLEY
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
This is a prisoner civil rights case. On November 18, 2016, defendants filed a motion to dismiss. Plaintiff Billy Finley did not file a response. Consequently, by order dated January 12, 2017, the Court directed Mr. Finley to file a response within fourteen days and advised him that his failure to do so may result in the dismissal of this action for failure to prosecute. Mr. Finley has not responded to this order.
If the plaintiff fails properly to prosecute an action, it can be dismissed either pursuant to the Court's inherent power to control its docket, or involuntarily under Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b). Link v. Wabash R. Co., 370 U.S. 626 (1962); Boudwin v. Graystone Insurance Co., 756 F.2d 399 (5th Cir. 1985). Dismissal for failure to prosecute can occur where, for example, a plaintiff fails to respond to an order directing that he file a brief. Dynes v. Army Air Force Exchange Service, 720 F.2d 1495 (11th Cir. 1983). Ordinarily, some notice of the court's intention to dismiss for failure to prosecute is required, see Harris v. Callwood, No. 86-4001 (6th Cir. April 21, 1988), but that requirement is met if the Court affords a plaintiff a reasonable period of time to comply with orders before the dismissal occurs. Sepia Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Toledo, 462 F.2d 1315 (6th Cir. 1972)(per curiam). Such a dismissal is also appropriate for failure to respond to a summary judgment motion. See Stanley v. Continental Oil Co., 536 F.2d 914 (10th Cir. 1976); see also Lang v. Wyrick, 590 F.2d 257 (8th Cir. 1978).
The facts of this case indicate a clear failure to prosecute. The Court specifically advised Mr. Finley of the date by which his response to the motion to dismiss was due, and that this action would be dismissed if he failed to respond. No response was filed. The Court's order has not been returned as undeliverable, and the Court assumes Mr. Finley received it. He has not offered any explanation for his failure to respond. Therefore, the Court can only conclude that the failure to respond is intentional. An intentional failure to respond to a court order is sufficient justification for a dismissal.
For this reason, it is recommended that this action be dismissed without prejudice for failure to prosecute pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b).
PROCEDURE ON OBJECTIONS
If any party objects to this Report and Recommendation, that party may, within fourteen days of the date of this Report, file and serve on all parties written objections to those specific proposed findings or recommendations to which objection is made, together with supporting authority for the objection(s). A judge of this Court shall make a de novo determination of those portions of the report or specified proposed findings or recommendations to which objection is made. Upon proper objections, a judge of this Court may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the findings or recommendations made herein, may receive further evidence or may recommit this matter to the magistrate judge with instructions. 28 U.S.C. §636(b)(1).
The parties are specifically advised that failure to object to the Report and Recommendation will result in a waiver of the right to have the district judge review the Report and Recommendation de novo, and also operates as a waiver of the right to appeal the decision of the District Court adopting the Report and Recommendation. See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140 (1985); United States v. Walters, 638 F.2d 947 (6th Cir.1981).
/s/ Terence P. Kemp
United States Magistrate Judge