Case Name: In Re: Howell W. WOLTZ, Petitioner
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2009-05-26
Citations: 325 F. App'x 232
Docket Number: No. 08-2307
Parties: In Re: Howell W. WOLTZ, Petitioner.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 325
Pages: 232–233

Head Matter:
In Re: Howell W. WOLTZ, Petitioner.
No. 08-2307.
United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
Submitted: May 21, 2009.
Decided: May 26, 2009.
Howell W. Woltz, Appellant Pro Se.
Before MOTZ, TRAXLER, and AGEE, Circuit Judges.
Petition dismissed by unpublished PER CURIAM opinion.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Howell W. Woltz petitions for a writ of mandamus seeking an order removing the district court judge from his case due to alleged bias. We conclude that Woltz 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). Woltz fails to demonstrate a clear right to the relief sought. Accordingly, we deny Woltz's motion to proceed in forma pau-peris and dismiss 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 DISMISSED.