Opinion ID: 1092546
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Appeal from Denial of the Writ of Mandamus

Text: As previously mentioned, following final judgment, Jessie Sue Bynum, in her two capacities, petitioned the trial court for an alternative writ of mandamus or rule nisi to compel the clerk of the Circuit Court of Jackson County to transfer records relating to the case tried in DeKalb County to the clerk of the Circuit Court of DeKalb County. Notice of an appeal of this case had already been filed in Jackson County Circuit Court. The petition grew out of some confusion created by the granting of a change of venue from Jackson County to DeKalb County for the trial of the jury arm of the case separated for trial. In the order of 7 May 1980, the trial court, in denying the petition, stated: Upon the commencement of the jury trial the court sought to clarify the involvement of the two clerks' offices in the case and it was agreed by counsel and the court that the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk could duly function as clerk during the trial of the case. This was consistent with the general understanding of the court and counsel that the case retained its identity as a Jackson County Circuit Court case although the trial was being conducted in DeKalb County. A petition by Jessie Sue Bynum filed in this court seeking the same relief was denied without written opinion on 14 May 1980. Her appeal from the denial of that relief by the trial court again seeks the same relief. The appeal from Jackson County Circuit Court by her has been accepted and considered by this court. Presumably, her purpose in seeking the processing of an appeal from both counties was to insure that her appeal would not be dismissed as proceeding from the wrong court. Where the relief sought by petition for writ of mandamus has already been afforded, the issue is moot and will not be reviewed. State ex rel. Black v. Foster, 238 Ala. 2, 189 So. 66 (1939). This court will not decide questions after a decision regarding them has become useless. Byrd v. Sorrells, 265 Ala. 589, 93 So.2d 146 (1957). Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court denying the alternative writ of mandamus or rule nisi is affirmed.