UNPUBLISHED
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
No. 99-7630
In Re: ROY HORTON,
Petitioner.
On Petition for Writ of Mandamus. (CR-93-40)
Submitted: March 23, 2000 Decided: March 30, 2000
Before LUTTIG, WILLIAMS, and MICHAEL, Circuit Judges.
Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion.
Roy Horton, Petitioner Pro Se.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
See Local Rule 36(c).
PER CURIAM:
Roy Horton has filed a petition for a writ of mandamus seeking
an order directing the district court to provide him with a copy of
a detention order. Mandamus is a drastic remedy to be used only in
extraordinary circumstances. Kerr v. United States Dist. Court,
426 U.S. 394, 402 (1976). Mandamus relief is only available when
there are no other means by which the relief sought could be
granted, In re Beard, 811 F.2d 818, 826 (4th Cir. 1987), and may
not be used as a substitute for appeal. In re United Steelworkers,
595 F.2d 958, 960 (4th Cir. 1979). The party seeking mandamus
relief carries the heavy burden of showing that he has “no other
adequate means to attain the relief he desires” and that his right
to such relief is “clear and indisputable.” Allied Chem. Corp. v.
Daiflon, Inc., 449 U.S. 33, 35 (1980). Horton has not made such a
showing. Accordingly, we deny his motion to proceed in forma pau-
peris and deny mandamus relief. 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
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