Case Name: IN RE: Daniel Johnson WILLIS, Petitioner
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2017-05-25
Citations: 689 F. App'x 756
Docket Number: No. 17-1326
Parties: IN RE: Daniel Johnson WILLIS, Petitioner.
Judges: Before KING, AGEE, and WYNN, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 689
Pages: 756–757

Head Matter:
IN RE: Daniel Johnson WILLIS, Petitioner.
No. 17-1326
United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
Submitted: May 23, 2017
Decided: May 25, 2017
Daniel Johnson Willis, Petitioner Pro Se.
Before KING, AGEE, and WYNN, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
PER CURIAM:
Daniel Johnson Willis petitions for a writ of mandamus seeking an order directing the district court to file his civil complaint. We conclude that Willis 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, 96 S.Ct. 2119, 48 L.Ed.2d 725 (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).
Mandamus may not be used as a substitute for appeal. In re Lockheed Martin Corp., 503 F.3d 351, 353 (4th Cir. 2007). The relief sought by Willis is not available by way of mandamus. Accordingly, although we grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis,-we deny the petition and corrected 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