Title: Matter Dickerson
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: 379, 2013
State: Delaware
Issuer: Delaware Supreme Court
Date: August 23, 2013

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE 
 
IN THE MATTER OF THE  
 
 
§ 
PETITION OF DAVID DICKERSON 
§  No. 379, 2013 
FOR A WRIT OF MANDAMUS 
 
§ 
 
Submitted: August 2, 2013 
Decided: 
August 23, 2013 
 
Before BERGER, JACOBS, and RIDGELY, Justices. 
 
 
O R D E R 
 
This 23rd day of August 2013, it appears to the Court that: 
(1) 
David Dickerson has filed a petition with this Court requesting the 
issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the Superior Court to correct his 
allegedly illegal sentence for a violation of probation (VOP).  The State of 
Delaware has filed a response and motion to dismiss this action on the ground 
that Dickerson’s petition manifestly fails to invoke the original jurisdiction of 
the Court.  We agree. 
(2) 
This Court may issue a writ of mandamus to compel a lower court 
to perform a duty.  As a condition precedent to the performance of that duty, the 
complainant must demonstrate a clear right to the performance of the duty, that 
no other remedy is available, and that the trial court has arbitrarily failed or 
refused to perform its duty.1   
                                                          
 
1 In re Hyson, 649 A.2d 807, 808 (Del. 1994). 
 
 
2
(3) 
Dickerson’s petition in this case manifestly fails to invoke the 
original jurisdiction of the Court.  Dickerson previously appealed from the 
Superior Court’s denial of his motion for correction of his VOP sentence.  We 
rejected Dickerson’s claims on appeal and affirmed the Superior Court’s 
judgment.2  Under the circumstances, Dickerson clearly cannot establish that he 
is entitled to the relief he seeks.   
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that Dickerson’s petition for a 
writ of mandamus is DISMISSED. 
BY THE COURT: 
/s/ Jack B. Jacobs 
       Justice 
                                                          
 
2 Dickerson v. State, 2013 WL 1559650 (Del. Apr. 11, 2013).