Reggie Griffin v. L.T. J. Minshew

Summary

The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida dismissed Reggie Griffin’s pro se civil-rights action without prejudice. The court found that Griffin failed to pay the filing fee or seek in forma pauperis status, failed to comply with court orders, and failed to update his address or otherwise prosecute the case. The Clerk was directed to update Griffin’s address, enter judgment, terminate pending motions, and close the case.

Holdings

1. A district court may sua sponte dismiss a pro se action without prejudice under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) when the plaintiff fails to comply with court orders or procedural rules, particularly after being warned that noncompliance may result in dismissal.
2. Griffin's action was properly dismissed without prejudice for failure to prosecute and failure to comply with the court's orders.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the district court could dismiss the pro se section 1983 action without prejudice under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) for failure to prosecute and failure to comply with court orders.
2. Whether Griffin's failure to pay the filing fee or submit an in forma pauperis application and failure to update his address warranted dismissal after repeated warnings.

Disposition

dismissed