In Re: Michael F. Dehoney, Petitioner, 54 F.3d 772 (4th Cir. 1995)

Annotate this Case
US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit - 54 F.3d 772 (4th Cir. 1995) Submitted: April 20, 1995. Decided: May 19, 1995

Michael F. Dehoney, Petitioner Pro Se.

Before WIDENER, WILKINSON, and WILKINS, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:


Michael Forbes Dehoney petitioned this Court for a writ of mandamus to direct the district court to enforce the housing provisions of the consent decree entered by both parties and to prevent prison officials from removing the coin-operated telephones and declaring United States currency as contraband. He also requested leave to proceed in forma pauperis.

The writ of mandamus is a drastic remedy and should only be granted in those extraordinary situations when no other remedy is available. In re Beard, 811 F.2d 818, 826 (4th Cir. 1987). Here, Dehoney can petition the district court to order the South Carolina Board of Corrections to comply with the housing provisions of the consent decree. Further, he could appeal any adverse decision of the district court. Mandamus relief cannot be used as a substitute for an appeal. Id.

Therefore, we deny Dehoney's petition for a writ of mandamus. However, we grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately present in the materials before the Court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

PETITION DENIED

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.