CHARLES J. KAHN, Jr., Magistrate Judge.
This matter is before the court on plaintiff's "Voluntary Notice of Dismissal" (doc. 16) and defendants' response to the notice (doc. 19). Plaintiff, an inmate of the Florida penal system proceeding pro se, initiated this action by filing a civil rights complaint in the Circuit Court of the First Judicial Circuit, in and for Okaloosa County, Florida. (Doc. 4-1, p. 2-15). On January 26, 2015, defendants Radford, Pryor, and Willis removed the case to federal court based on federal question jurisdiction. (Doc. 1). Plaintiff's amended complaint, the operative pleading in this case, alleges each defendant violated his due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 9 of the Florida Constitution by failing to provide evidence and adhere to certain regulations during the disposition of a disciplinary report. (Doc. 8). Although plaintiff's disciplinary report was eventually overturned through the grievance process, plaintiff asserts the original finding of guilty resulted in his placement on close management. (Id.).
After defendants removed this case to federal court, plaintiff filed a motion to remand, asserting defendants' removal of the case was untimely and defective. (Doc. 6). The motion was denied. (Docs. 7, 13). Defendants then filed a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. (Doc. 14). Instead of filing a response to defendants' motion, plaintiff filed a "Voluntary Notice of Dismissal." (Doc. 16). Plaintiff requested dismissal of the federal constitutional claims in this action. (Id.). Plaintiff further requested that his state law claims be remanded to state court, or, alternatively, dismissed. (Id.). Because plaintiff sought remand of his state law claims, the court construed plaintiff's notice in part as a motion to remand and directed defendants to respond. (Doc. 17). Defendants' response argues the conditional nature of plaintiff's notice of voluntary dismissal renders it ineffective. (Doc. 19, p. 3-4). Alternatively, defendants argue that all of plaintiff's claims should be dismissed and the motion to remand should be denied. (Doc. 19, 4-6).
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41, a plaintiff may voluntarily dismiss an action without a court order by filing a notice of dismissal before the opposing party serves either an answer or a motion for summary judgment.
Accordingly, it is respectfully RECOMMENDED:
Objections to these proposed findings and recommendations may be filed within fourteen (14) days after being served a copy thereof.