Opinion ID: 1745728
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: writs of prohibition

Text: Extraordinary relief in the form of a writ of prohibition is normally available only upon a showing that the petitioner has no adequate remedy by appeal and: (1) the lower court is proceeding or about to proceed outside of its jurisdiction; or (2) the lower court is about to act incorrectly, although within its jurisdiction, and great injustice and irreparable injury will result from the trial court's imminent erroneous actions. [7] However, in cases where the petitioner claims that the trial court is permitting a prosecution to proceed that is barred by principles of double jeopardy, we have held that the court considering the petition may, in its discretion, grant relief even though the defendant may have an adequate remedy by appeal. [8] Here, we perceive no abuse of discretion by the Court of Appeals in its decision to review the merits of Stephenson's petition. However, upon our review of the questions of law [9] relevant to this appeali.e., whether constitutional or statutory double jeopardy protections or principles of collateral estoppel or res judicata prevent the Commonwealth from prosecuting Stephenson for DUI, we find that the Court of Appeals erred when it granted Stephenson relief. In Parts III(B)-(D) below, we address Stephenson's arguments to the Court of Appeals, and conclude that none of his asserted bases support the relief granted.