Case Name: In re: Raymond Jerome FRANCIS, Petitioner
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2006-12-04
Citations: 208 F. App'x 278
Docket Number: No. 06-7636
Parties: In re: Raymond Jerome FRANCIS, Petitioner.
Judges: Before TRAXLER and DUNCAN, Circuit Judges, and HAMILTON, Senior Circuit Judge.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 208
Pages: 278–279

Head Matter:
This case was not selected for publication in the Federal Reporter UNPUBLISHED
In re: Raymond Jerome FRANCIS, Petitioner.
No. 06-7636.
United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
Submitted: Nov. 21, 2006.
Decided: Dec. 4, 2006.
Raymond Jerome Francis, Petitioner Pro Se.
Before TRAXLER and DUNCAN, Circuit Judges, and HAMILTON, Senior Circuit Judge.

Opinion:
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
PER CURIAM:
Raymond Jerome Francis petitions for a writ of mandamus seeking an order directing the district court to vacate the sentence imposed after a jury found him guilty of drug and firearms offenses. We conclude that Francis is not entitled to mandamus relief.
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). Further, mandamus is a drastic remedy and should only be used in extraordinary circumstances. Kerr v. United States Dist. Court, 426 U.S. 394, 402, 96 S.Ct. 2119, 48 L.Ed.2d 725 (1976); In re Beard, 811 F.2d 818, 826 (4th Cir.1987). The relief sought by Francis is not available by way of mandamus.
Accordingly, although we grant Francis' motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis, we deny the petition for writ of mandamus. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.
PETITION DENIED.