Case Title: Charles D. Young v. Honorable Jodi Raines Dennis, Circuit Judge

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State: arkansas

Court: Arkansas Supreme Court

Date: 2005-04-07T00:00:00Z

Document:
ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT No. 05-263 NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION CHARLES D. YOUNG Petitioner v. HON. JODI RAINES DENNIS, CIRCUIT JUDGE Respondent Opinion Delivered April 7, 2005 PRO SE PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS AND MOTION TO CONTINUE WITH MANDAMUS PROCEEDING [CIRCUIT COURT OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, CV 2004-597-2] MANDAMUS PETITION MOOT; MOTION TO CONTINUE WITH MANDAMUS PROCEEDING DENIED PER CURIAM On March 10, 2005, Charles D. Young filed a pro se petition for writ of mandamus in this court contending that the Honorable Jodi Raines Dennis, Circuit Judge, had failed to set a "court date and hearing" on a petition for writ of habeas corpus filed August 4, 2004, in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County. The State appended to its response to the mandamus petition a copy of an order entered by Judge Dennis on January 25, 2005, dismissing the habeas petition without prejudice for failure to obtain service. Petitioner Young subsequently filed a motion asking that this court allow him to continue to pursue the mandamus action on the grounds that: he believes the January 25, 2005, order to have been "backdated" because the circuit clerk accepted filings in the cases after that date without informing him that the habeas petition had been dismissed; he had obtained service of the habeas petition on all the parties but the Governor; and the State interfered with his efforts to serve the Governor. Petitioner's motion to continue with the mandamus petition because he was not informed of the dismissal and disagreed with the court's ruling is denied. The purpose of a writ of mandamus in a civil or a criminal case is to enforce an established right or to enforce the performance of a duty. Smith v. Fox, 357 Ark. ___, ___ S.W.3d ___ (September 16, 2004). A writ of mandamus is issued by this court only to compel an official or judge to take some action. Manila School Dist. No. 15 v. Wagner, 356 Ark.___, ___S.W.3d ___ (April 15, 2004). When requesting a writ of mandamus, a petitioner must show a clear and certain right to the relief sought and the absence of any other adequate remedy. Id. However, a writ of mandamus will not lie to control or review matters of discretion. Id. Petitioner has not established that mandamus will lie to compel the respondent here to take any further action. As the court has acted on the petition for writ of habeas corpus which was the subject of the mandamus action, the petition for writ of mandamus is moot. Mandamus petition moot; motion to continue with mandamus proceeding denied.