Opinion ID: 854022
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Standards for Writs of Mandate

Text: Petitions for writs of mandate and prohibition are governed by the Indiana Rules of Procedure for Original Actions. This Court has the power, by writ of mandate and prohibition, to confine a lower court within its lawful jurisdiction, [1] but Original Action Rule 2(E) expressly warns would-be relators that [o]riginal actions are viewed with disfavor and may not be used as substitutes for appeals. Because they are extraordinary remedies, such writs will not be issued unless the relator can show a clear and obvious emergency where the failure of this Court to act will result in substantial injustice. State ex rel. Kiritsis v. Marion Probate Ct., 269 Ind. 550, 381 N.E.2d 1245 (1978). Writs of prohibition and mandate will be issued only where the trial court has an absolute duty to act or refrain from acting. State ex rel. Pickard v. Superior Ct. of Marion County, 447 N.E.2d 584 (Ind.1983).