Brown v. Sergent

Summary

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of California ordered plaintiff Skyler R. Brown to show cause why the action should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute and failure to comply with court orders. The order states that plaintiff must respond within twenty-one days and file an opposition or statement of non-opposition to defendant’s motion to compel and for sanctions.

Holdings

1. A district court may impose sanctions, including dismissal, when a litigant fails to comply with court orders or local rules, subject to the court's consideration of the circumstances and the harshness of involuntary dismissal.

Questions Presented

1. Whether plaintiff should be required to show cause why the action should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute and failure to comply with court orders after failing to respond to defendant's motion.

Disposition

other