UNPUBLISHED
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
No. 06-6213
In Re: RODNEY EUGENE SMITH,
Petitioner.
On Petition for Writ of Mandamus.
(CR-01-7)
Submitted: March 23, 2006 Decided: March 31, 2006
Before WILKINSON, LUTTIG, and WILLIAMS, Circuit Judges.
Rodney Eugene Smith, Petitioner Pro Se.
Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
See Local Rule 36(c).
PER CURIAM:
Rodney Eugene Smith petitions for writ of mandamus and/or
prohibition seeking an order directing the district court to
declare his criminal case “void ab initio.” 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
be used only 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, although we grant leave to proceed in forma
pauperis, we deny the petition for writ of mandamus and/or
prohibition. 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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