Peacock v. Turman (INMATE 1)

United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama

Peacock v. Turman (INMATE 1)

Trial Court Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA NORTHERN DIVISION

CALEB PEACOCK, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) CASE NO. 2:23-CV-241-MHT-CSC ) BLAKE TURMAN, et al., ) ) Defendants. )

RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Plaintiff Caleb Peacock, an inmate proceeding pro se, filed this

42 U.S.C. § 1983

action. See Docs. 1, 2. At the time he filed his Complaint, Plaintiff did not pay the requisite filing and administrative fees, nor did he submit an application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Thus, on May 2, 2023, the Court issued an Order directing him to do so on or before May 16, 2023. Doc. 3. The Court specifically cautioned Plaintiff that failure to comply with the May 2 Order by either paying the requisite fees or filing an in forma pauperis application would result in a Recommendation that this case be dismissed.

Id. at 1

. However, the imposed deadline has passed, and Plaintiff has done neither. Because of Plaintiff’s failure to comply, the undersigned concludes this case should be dismissed without prejudice. See Moon v. Newsome,

863 F.2d 835, 837

(11th Cir. 1989) (noting that “dismissal upon disregard of an order, especially where the litigant has been forewarned, generally is not an abuse of discretion”) (citations omitted). The authority of courts to impose sanctions for failure to prosecute or obey an order is longstanding and acknowledged by Rule 41(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. See Link v. Wabash R. Co.,

370 U.S. 626

, 629–30 (1962). This authority “is necessary in order to prevent undue delays in the disposition of pending cases and to avoid congestion in the calendars of the

District Courts.”

Id.

It further empowers the courts “to manage their own affairs so as to achieve the orderly and expeditious disposition of cases.”

Id.

at 630–31. In this instance, where Plaintiff failed to comply despite the Court’s clear admonition, the undersigned finds that sanctions lesser than dismissal would not suffice. See Mingo v. Sugar Cane Growers Co-Op of Fla.,

864 F.2d 101

, 102 (11th Cir. 1989). Accordingly, based on the foregoing, the undersigned RECOMMENDS this case

be DISMISSED without prejudice. It is further ORDERED that, on or before June 2, 2023, the parties may file objections to this Recommendation. The parties must specifically identify the factual findings and legal conclusions in the Recommendation to which objection is made. Frivolous, conclusive, or general objections will not be considered. The parties are advised

that this Recommendation is not a final order and, therefore, is not appealable. Failure to file written objections to the Magistrate Judge’s findings and recommendations in accordance with

28 U.S.C. § 636

(b)(1) will bar a party from a de novo determination by the District Court of legal and factual issues covered in the Recommendation and waive the right of the party to challenge on appeal the District

Court’s order based on unobjected-to factual and legal conclusions accepted or adopted by the District Court except on grounds of plain error or manifest injustice. Nettles v. Wainwright,

677 F.2d 404

(5th Cir. 1982); 11th Cir. R. 3-1. See Stein v. Reynolds Sec., Inc.,

667 F.2d 33

(11th Cir. 1982); see also Bonner v. City of Prichard, Ala.,

661 F.2d 1206

(11th Cir. 1981) (en banc).

DONE this 19th day of May, 2023.

/s/ Charles S. Coody CHARLES S. COODY UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Reference

Status
Unknown