Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ca4-14-02097/USCOURTS-ca4-14-02097-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Michael Anthony Hickson
Petitioner

Document Text:

UNPUBLISHED

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT

No. 14-2097

In re: MICHAEL ANTHONY HICKSON,

Petitioner.

On Petition for Writ of Mandamus.

 (8:09-cr-00213-RWT-2; 8:13-cv-02790-RWT)

Submitted: January 22, 2015 Decided: January 26, 2015

Before SHEDD, KEENAN, and DIAZ, Circuit Judges.

Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion.

Michael Anthony Hickson, Petitioner Pro Se.

Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.

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2

PER CURIAM:

Michael Anthony Hickson petitions for a writ of 

mandamus, seeking this court’s review of his motion under 28 

U.S.C. § 2255 (2012) or, alternatively, an order recusing the 

district court judge. 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). Further, mandamus 

relief is available only when the petitioner has a clear right 

to the relief sought. United States v. Moussaoui, 333 F.3d 509, 

517 (4th Cir. 2003). Mandamus may not be used as a substitute 

for appeal. In re Lockheed Martin Corp., 503 F.3d 351, 353 (4th 

Cir. 2007).

We conclude that the relief sought by Hickson is not 

available by way of mandamus. Moreover, to the extent that he 

argues delay by the district court, our review of the district 

court’s docket reveals that the court has ruled on Hickson’s 

motion. Accordingly, although we grant leave to proceed in 

forma pauperis, we deny the petition for a writ of mandamus and 

the motion for bail or release pending appeal. 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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