Case Name: In Re: Calvin Eugene SMITH, Petitioner
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2006-05-08
Citations: 179 F. App'x 177
Docket Number: No. 06-6079
Parties: In Re: Calvin Eugene SMITH, Petitioner.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 179
Pages: 177–178

Head Matter:
In Re: Calvin Eugene SMITH, Petitioner.
No. 06-6079.
United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
Submitted April 27, 2006.
Decided May 8, 2006.
Calvin Eugene Smith, Petitioner Pro Se.
Before NIEMEYER and MOTZ, Circuit Judges, and HAMILTON, Senior Circuit Judge.
Petition denied by unpublished PER CURIAM opinion.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit. See Local Rule 36(c).

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Calvin Eugene Smith petitions for a writ of mandamus. He seeks an order vacating the monetary penalties imposed in his criminal judgment. Mandamus relief is available only when the petitioner has a clear right to the relief sought. See In re First Fed. Sav. & Loan Assn., 860 F.2d 135, 138 (4th Cir.1988). Further, mandamus is a drastic remedy and should only be used in extraordinary circumstances. See 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). Mandamus may not be used as a substitute for appeal. See In re United Steelworkers, 595 F.2d 958, 960 (4th Cir.1979).
The relief sought by Smith is not available by way of mandamus. Accordingly, although we grant leave to proceed in for-ma 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.