Case ID: f-appx_711/html/0720-01.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: Willie James ASBURY, Petitioner.
    No. 17-2135
    United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
    Submitted: January 29, 2018
    Decided: February 8, 2018
    Willie James Asbury, Petitioner Pro Se.
    Before WILKINSON, Circuit Judge, and HAMILTON and SHEDD, Senior Circuit Judges.
   Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.

PER CURIAM

Willie James Asbury petitions this court for a writ of mandamus, seeking an order compelling the Clerk of Court to construe his pleading challenging the court’s denial of his 28 U.S.C. § 2244 (2012) motion as a Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(b) motion rather than as a petition for rehearing. Asbury argues that the Clerk violated her ministerial duties by refusing to file his motion as a motion for reconsideration, contending that this denied him access to courts.

“Mandamus is a drastic remedy to be invoked only in extraordinary situations.” United States v. Moussaoui, 333 F.3d 509, 516-17 (4th Cir. 2003) (internal quotation marks omitted). To obtain mandamus relief, a petitioner must establish that:

(1) he has a clear and indisputable right to the relief sought; (2) the responding party has a clear duty to do the specific act requested; (3) the act requested is an official act or duty; (4) there are no other adequate means to attain the desired relief; and (5) the issuance of the writ will effect right and justice in the circumstances.

In re Braxton, 258 F.3d 250, 261 (4th Cir. 2001). Asbury’s petition has not established that he has a clear right to the relief he seeks. Accordingly, although we grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis, we deny the petition. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and would not aid the decisional process.

PETITION DENIED