In Re: Russell Walker v.

UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT No. 17-1383 In re: RUSSELL F. WALKER, Petitioner. On Petition for Writ of Mandamus (1:17-cv-00078-CCE-JLW) Submitted: May 23, 2017 Decided: May 25, 2017 Before KING, AGEE, and WYNN, Circuit Judges. Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion. Russell F. Walker, Petitioner Pro Se. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit. PER CURIAM: Russell F. Walker petitions for a writ of mandamus seeking an order compelling the district court to expedite disposition of his complaint. We conclude that Walker 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). The relief sought by Walker 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 2