Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-01953/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-01953-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

STEPHEN PAULE KENNEDY,

Plaintiff,

v.

JARED B. SHARON, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

1:09-cv-01953-GSA-PC

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION

TO DISMISS ACTION

(Doc. 8.)

ORDER DISMISSING ACTION IN ITS

ENTIRETY WITHOUT PREJUDICE

ORDER DIRECTING CLERK TO CLOSE FILE

Plaintiff Stephen Paule Kennedy (“plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in

forma pauperis in this civil rights action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff filed the

complaint on November 5, 2009. (Doc. 1.) On December 7, 2009, plaintiff consented to

Magistrate Judge jurisdiction, and no other party has appeared in this action. (Doc. 7.) On

December 18, 2009, plaintiff filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss his complaint. (Doc. 8.) 

In Wilson v. City of San Jose, the Ninth Circuit explained:

Under Rule 41(a)(1), a plaintiff has an absolute right to voluntarily dismiss

his action prior to service by the defendant of an answer or a motion for summary

judgment. Concha v. London, 62 F.3d 1493, 1506 (9th Cir. 1995) (citing

Hamilton v. Shearson-Lehman American Express, 813 F.2d 1532, 1534 (9th Cir.

1987)). A plaintiff may dismiss his action so long as the plaintiff files a notice of

dismissal prior to the defendant’s service of an answer or motion for summary

judgment. The dismissal is effective on filing and no court order is required. Id. 

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Case 1:09-cv-01953-GSA Document 9 Filed 01/04/10 Page 1 of 2
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The plaintiff may dismiss some or all of the defendants, or some or all of his

claims, through a Rule 41(a)(1) notice. Id.; Pedrina v. Chun, 987 F.2d 608, 609-

10 (9th Cir. 1993). The filing of a notice of voluntary dismissal with the court

automatically terminates the action as to the defendants who are the subjects of

the notice. Concha, 62 F.2d at 1506. Unless otherwise stated, the dismissal is

ordinarily without prejudice to the plaintiff's right to commence another action for

the same cause against the same defendants. Id. (citing McKenzie v. DavenportHarris Funeral Home, 834 F.2d 930, 934-35 (9th Cir. 1987)). Such a dismissal

leaves the parties as though no action had been brought. Id.

Wilson v. City of San Jose, 111 F.3d 688, 692 (9th Cir. 1997). No defendant has filed an answer

or motion for summary judgment in this action. Therefore, plaintiff’s motion shall be granted.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s motion to dismiss the complaint is GRANTED;

2. This action is DISMISSED in its entirety without prejudice; and

3. The Clerk of the Court is DIRECTED to close the file in this case and adjust the

docket to reflect voluntary dismissal of this action pursuant to Rule 41(a). 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: January 4, 2010 /s/ Gary S. Austin 

6i0kij UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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