In Re: Smith v. , 157 F. App'x 624 ( 2005 )


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  •                             UNPUBLISHED
    UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
    FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
    No. 05-7381
    In Re:   BERNARD SMITH,
    Petitioner.
    On Petition for Writ of Mandamus.
    Submitted:   November 22, 2005            Decided:   December 7, 2005
    Before MOTZ, TRAXLER, and GREGORY, Circuit Judges.
    Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion.
    Bernard Smith, Petitioner Pro Se.
    Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
    See Local Rule 36(c).
    PER CURIAM:
    Bernard Smith petitions for a writ of mandamus. He seeks
    an order requiring the Bureau of Prisons to accept his state
    substance abuse program and promote him to the next pay grade for
    prison employment.
    Mandamus relief is available only when the petitioner has
    a clear right to the relief sought.       See In re First Fed. Sav. &
    Loan Assn., 
    860 F.2d 135
    , 138 (4th Cir. 1988).      Further, mandamus
    is a drastic remedy and should only be used in extraordinary
    circumstances.    See Kerr v. United States Dist. Court, 
    426 U.S. 394
    , 402 (1976); In re Beard, 
    811 F.2d 818
    , 826 (4th Cir. 1987).
    Mandamus may not be used as a substitute for appeal.        See In re
    United Steelworkers, 
    595 F.2d 958
    , 960 (4th Cir. 1979).
    The relief sought by Smith is not available by way of
    mandamus.   Accordingly, we deny the petition for writ of mandamus.
    We grant Smith leave to proceed in forma pauperis and deny his
    motion for appointment of counsel.      We dispense with oral argument
    because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in
    the materials before the court and argument would not aid the
    decisional process.
    PETITION DENIED
    - 2 -
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 05-7381

Citation Numbers: 157 F. App'x 624

Judges: Motz, Traxler, Gregory

Filed Date: 12/7/2005

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 11/5/2024