Opinion
No. 20-1115
06-11-2020
In re: MARIE BECTON, Petitioner.
Marie Becton, Petitioner Pro Se.
UNPUBLISHED
On Petition for Writ of Mandamus. (5:17-cv-00336-D) Before NIEMEYER, DIAZ, and QUATTLEBAUM, Circuit Judges. Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion. Marie Becton, Petitioner Pro Se. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit. PER CURIAM:
Marie Becton petitions for a writ of mandamus seeking an order directing the Social Security Administration to pay her all the benefits she is purportedly owed, compensatory damages, attorney's fees, and costs. We conclude that Becton is not entitled to mandamus relief.
Mandamus relief is a drastic remedy and should be used only in extraordinary circumstances. Cheney v. U.S. Dist. Court, 542 U.S. 367, 380 (2004); In re Murphy-Brown, LLC, 907 F.3d 788, 795 (4th Cir. 2018). Mandamus relief is available only when the petitioner has a clear right to the relief sought and has no other adequate means to obtain the relief she desires. Murphy-Brown, 907 F.3d at 795. It is not a substitute for appeal. In re Lockheed Martin Corp., 503 F.3d 351, 353 (4th Cir. 2007).
The relief sought by Becton is not available by way of mandamus. Accordingly, we deny the petition for writ of mandamus. 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