Williams v. Kapetan et al

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
JANA WILLIAMS,
Plaintiff,
v.
KRISTI CULVER KAPETAN, et al.,
Defendants.
_____________________________________/
Case No. 1:25-cv-01387-JLT-SKO
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION
TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO
COMPLY WITH THE COURT’S ORDERS
AND FAILURE TO PROSECUTE
(Docs. 6, 7)
Plaintiff Jana Williams is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this action filed on
October 17, 2025. (Docs. 1, 5).
On October 31, 2025, the Court issued a screening order finding that Plaintiff’s complaint
failed to state any cognizable claims and gave Plaintiff three options as to how to proceed. (Doc.
7). Within thirty (30) days, Plaintiff was to either (1) file an amended complaint, (2) notify the
Court that she wished to stand on her complaint, or (3) file a notice of voluntary dismissal. (Id. at
1, 2, 9). That screening order was served on Plaintiff by mail that same day. (See Docket.) To
date, Plaintiff has not filed an amended complaint, notified the Court of her intention to stand on
her complaint, filed a notice of voluntary dismissal, or requested an extension of time to take any
of these actions.
On December 8, 2025, an order issued for Plaintiff to show cause (“OSC”) within twenty-
one days why the action should not be dismissed for her failure to comply with the Court’s
Case 1:25-cv-01387-JLT-SKO Document 8 Filed 01/06/26 Page 1 of 3

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screening order and for failure to prosecute this case. (Doc. 7). Plaintiff was warned in the OSC
that failure to comply with the Court’s order would result in a recommendation to the presiding
district judge of the dismissal of this action. (Id. at 2). Plaintiff has not yet filed any response,
and the time to do so has passed.
The Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California,
corresponding with Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, provide, “[f]ailure of counsel
or of a party to comply with . . . any order of the Court may be grounds for the imposition by the
Court of any and all sanctions . . . within the inherent power of the Court.” E.D. Cal. L.R. 110.
“District courts have inherent power to control their dockets,” and in exercising that power, a court
may impose sanctions, including dismissal of an action. Thompson v. Housing Authority of L.A.,
782 F.2d 829, 831 (9th Cir. 1986). A court may dismiss an action based on a party’s failure to
prosecute an action, to obey a court order, or to comply with local rules. See, e.g., Ferdik v.
Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258, 1260−61 (9th Cir. 1992) (dismissal for failure to comply with an order
requiring amendment of complaint); Malone v. U.S. Postal Service, 833 F.2d 128, 130 (9th Cir.
1987) (dismissal for failure to comply with a court order); Henderson v. Duncan, 779 F.2d 1421,
1424 (9th Cir. 1986) (dismissal for failure to prosecute and to comply with local rules).
Based on Plaintiff’s failure to comply with, or otherwise respond to, the screening order
and the OSC, there is no alternative but to dismiss the action for her failure to obey court orders
and failure to prosecute.
Accordingly, it is HEREBY RECOMMENDED that this action be dismissed for
Plaintiff’s failure to obey court orders and failure to prosecute this action.
These Findings and Recommendation will be submitted to the assigned United States
District Judge, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l)(B). Within twenty-one (21)
days after being served with these Findings and Recommendation, Plaintiff may file written
objections with the Court. The document should be captioned “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s
Findings and Recommendation.” Plaintiff is advised that failure to file objections within the
specified time may result in the waiver of rights on appeal. Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834,
839 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Baxter v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991)).
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The Court DIRECTS the Clerk of Court to send a copy of this Order to Plaintiff at her
address as listed on the docket for this matter.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: January 6, 2026 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto .
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Case 1:25-cv-01387-JLT-SKO Document 8 Filed 01/06/26 Page 3 of 3