In Re: Smith v. , 157 F. App'x 595 ( 2005 )


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  •                             UNPUBLISHED
    UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
    FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
    No. 05-7155
    In Re:   BERNARD SMITH,
    Petitioner.
    On Petition for Writ of Mandamus.
    (CA-05-120-7)
    Submitted:   November 22, 2005            Decided:   December 6, 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    Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion.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    Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.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 writ of mandamus.          He seeks
    an order remanding his case to the district court with directions
    to   apply   District   of   Columbia   law   instead   of   the   sentencing
    guidelines to his request for parole.
    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).
    With these criteria in mind, we conclude Smith is not
    entitled to mandamus relief. Accordingly, we deny his 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: 05-7155

Citation Numbers: 157 F. App'x 595

Judges: Motz, Traxler, Gregory

Filed Date: 12/6/2005

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 11/5/2024