5 canonical passages across 3 cases, quoted by 44 opinions in total. These passages cluster together because the same opinions keep quoting them side by side — they state parts of one doctrine. The anchor passage is from Jay Nottingham v. Warden Bill Clements Unit.
| # | Case | Flag | Canonical passage | Citers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jay Nottingham v. Warden Bill Clements Unit Anchor | green | “under rule 41(b), a district court may dismiss an action sua sponte if the plaintiff fails to comply with court orders.” | 15 |
| 2 | Edward Donald McCullough v. James A. Lynaugh, Director, Texas Department of Corrections | green | “the power to invoke this sanction is necessary in order to prevent undue delays in the disposition of pending cases and to avoid congestion in the calendars of the district courts.” | 10 |
| 3 | Millan v. USAA General Indemnity Co. | green | “(1) delay caused by the plaintiff himself and not his attorney; (2) actual prejudice to the defendant; or (3) delay caused by intentional conduct.” | 8 |
| 4 | Millan v. USAA General Indemnity Co. | green | “a clear record of delay or contumacious conduct by the plaintiff exists and a lesser sanction would not better serve the interests of justice.” | 6 |
| 5 | Millan v. USAA General Indemnity Co. | green | “a discretionary extension may be warranted, 'for example, if the applicable statute of limitations would bar the refiled action, or if the defendant is evading service or conceals a defect in attempted service.” | 5 |
A red or yellow flag on a member means the underlying case has negative treatment — for those, check the case page before relying on the passage.