IN RE: Jermaine Antwan TART (2019)

Jermaine Tart petitions for a writ of mandamus seeking an order compelling North Carolina state prison officials to turn over two checks they allegedly stole from him. We deny the petition.

Mandamus relief is a drastic remedy and should be used only in extraordinary circumstances. Kerr v. U.S. 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). Moreover, this court does not have jurisdiction to grant mandamus relief against state officials. Gurley v. Superior Ct. of Mecklenburg Cnty., 411 F.2d 586, 587 (4th Cir. 1969).

Because Tart seeks an order directing action by state officials, the relief he seeks is not available by way of mandamus. Accordingly, we deny the petition for writ of mandamus. We deny Tart’s motions for joinder, for payment of fees for a material witness, for appointment of counsel, and for injunctive relief and a temporary restraining order. 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

PER CURIAM:

Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.