Case ID: f-appx_566/html/0201-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In re Richard PIERCE, Petitioner.
    No. 14-1946.
    United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
    Submitted Pursuant to Rule 21, Fed. R.App. May 1, 2014.
    Filed May 14, 2014.
    Richard Pierce, Lisbon, OH, pro se.
    Before: RENDELL, FISHER and GREENAWAY, JR., Circuit Judges.
   OPINION

PER CURIAM.

Richard Pierce has filed a petition for a writ of mandamus. For the reasons below, we will deny the petition.

Pierce pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. In his plea agreement, Pierce acknowledged that he faced a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison and waived his right to appeal or collaterally attack his conviction and sentence. The District Court departed from both the mandatory minimum and the guidelines range and sentenced Pierce to 180 months in prison. Pierce appealed, and we upheld the appellate waiver and affirmed his sentence and conviction. See C.A. No. 10-3328.

In July 2012, Pierce filed a motion to vacate his conviction and sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. The District Court dismissed the motion on August 23, 2013, and on September 16, 2013, Pierce filed a motion pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 60(b). On April 22, 2014, Pierce filed this mandamus petition in which he requests that we order the District Court to act on his pending Rule 60(b) motion.

A writ of mandamus should be issued only in extraordinary circumstances. See Sporck v. Peil, 759 F.2d 312, 314 (3d Cir.1985). Determining whether an extraordinary circumstance exists requires a two-part inquiry. First, it must be established that there is no alternative remedy or other adequate means of relief. Second, a petitioner must demonstrate a clear and indisputable right to the relief sought. Kerr v. United States District Court, 426 U.S. 394, 403, 96 S.Ct. 2119, 48 L.Ed.2d 725 (1976). Generally, mandamus relief is used to “confine an inferior court to a lawful exercise of its prescribed jurisdiction or to compel it to exercise its authority when it is its duty to do so.” Roche v. Evaporated Milk Ass’n, 319 U.S. 21, 26, 63 S.Ct. 938, 87 L.Ed. 1185 (1943).

Here, Pierce does not have an alternative remedy to direct the District Court to act on his pending motions. However, the delay in this case has not risen to the level of an extraordinary circumstance. See Madden v. Myers, 102 F.3d 74, 79 (3d Cir.1996). We are confident that the District Court will act on Pierce’s Rule 60(b) motion in a timely manner. Accordingly, we will deny the mandamus petition without prejudice to refiling if the District Court does not act within 120 days.