UNPUBLISHED
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
No. 16-1216
In Re: CURTIS LOUIS SANGSTER,
Petitioner.
On Petition for Writ of Mandamus.
(5:15-hc-02114-D)
Submitted: July 11, 2016 Decided: July 13, 2016
Before SHEDD and HARRIS, Circuit Judges, and DAVIS, Senior
Circuit Judge.
Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion.
Curtis Louis Sangster, Petitioner Pro Se.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
PER CURIAM:
Curtis Louis Sangster petitions for a writ of mandamus
seeking an order compelling the Wake County Superior Court to
reduce the $1.1 million bond imposed following Sangster’s August
2014 arrest. We conclude that Sangster is not entitled to
mandamus relief.
Mandamus relief is a drastic remedy and should be used only
in extraordinary circumstances. Kerr v. U.S. Dist. Court, 426
U.S. 394, 402 (1976); United States v. Moussaoui, 333 F.3d 509,
516-17 (4th Cir. 2003). Further, mandamus relief is available
only when the petitioner has a clear right to the relief sought.
In re First Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass’n, 860 F.2d 135, 138 (4th Cir.
1988). Federal courts have no general power to compel action by
state courts. Davis v. Lansing, 851 F.2d 72, 74 (2d Cir. 1988);
Gurley v. Superior Court of Mecklenburg Cty., 411 F.2d 586, 587
(4th Cir. 1969).
The relief sought by Sangster 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. We
dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal
contentions are adequately presented in the materials before
this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.
PETITION DENIED
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