Court Opinion

ID: 9475239
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 05:21:14.589957+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:44:35.699424
License: Public Domain

HATCHETT, Circuit Judge,
concurring:
I agree with the standard articulated by the majority, however, I write separately to address a third situation which may confront a plaintiff upon the dismissal of his complaint.
The third situation arises when the complaint is dismissed without prejudice or with leave to amend, but the district court fails to indicate the time within which an amendment may be made. I would hold that in order to appeal a dismissal of this type, the plaintiff must file notice of appeal within the time allowed by rule 4(a), Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, measured from the date of the district court’s order. The plaintiff’s appeal of the dismissal would waive the right to later amend the complaint. I would also hold that after the time for appeal (usually thirty days) has elapsed, if the plaintiff has not chosen to treat the dismissal as a final order, no appeal from the dismissal may be taken. Further amendment of the complaint would be untimely. Although a harsh rule, it would cure a difficult problem.
In the absence of such a holding, a dismissal which does not stipulate a time period within which the plaintiff may amend the complaint gives the plaintiff the ability to manipulate the courts and opposing parties. Where dismissal occurs without a time period within which to amend, a plaintiff may amend at any time thought fit, leaving defendants uncertain of whether they are in a lawsuit or not, and forcing defendants to at some point return to the district court for clarification of status. By inaction, a plaintiff, in this situation, may expand the time for amendment as well as the time for appeal far beyond the intent of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. Obviously, district courts should avoid dismissals without clearly stating the time within which amendments may be made.