Case Name: In re: Jeffrey A. PLEASANT, a/k/a Jeffrey A. Pleasants, Petitioner
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2014-06-02
Citations: 574 F. App'x 242
Docket Number: No. 14-1325
Parties: In re: Jeffrey A. PLEASANT, a/k/a Jeffrey A. Pleasants, Petitioner.
Judges: Before SHEDD, WYNN, and THACKER, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 574
Pages: 242–242

Head Matter:
In re: Jeffrey A. PLEASANT, a/k/a Jeffrey A. Pleasants, Petitioner.
No. 14-1325.
United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
Submitted: May 29, 2014.
Decided: June 2, 2014.
Jeffrey A. Pleasant, Petitioner pro se.
Before SHEDD, WYNN, and THACKER, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
Petition denied by unpublished PER CURIAM opinion.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
PER CURIAM:
Jeffrey A. Pleasant petitions for a writ of mandamus seeking an order compelling a state court to produce records of certain proceedings and compelling the district court to vacate his convictions and sentence. We conclude that Pleasant is not entitled to mandamus relief.
Mandamus relief is a drastic remedy and should be used only in extraordinary circumstances. Kerr v. United States 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). This court does not have jurisdiction to grant mandamus relief against state officials, Gurley v. Superior Court of Mecklenburg Cnty., 411 F.2d 586, 587 (4th Cir.1969), and does not have jurisdiction to review final state court orders, Dist. of Columbia Court of Appeals v. Feldman, 460 U.S. 462, 482, 103 S.Ct. 1303, 75 L.Ed.2d 206 (1983).
The relief sought by Pleasant is not available by way of mandamus. Accordingly, although we grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis, and grant Pleasant's motion to amend his petition, 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 this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.
PETITION DENIED.