Opinion
2019–05016
07-17-2019
In the Matter of James KELLY, Petitioner, v. John J. LEO, etc., Respondent.
James Kelly, Selden, NY, petitioner pro se. Letitia James, Attorney General, New York, N.Y. (Carly Weinreb of counsel), for respondent.
James Kelly, Selden, NY, petitioner pro se.
Letitia James, Attorney General, New York, N.Y. (Carly Weinreb of counsel), for respondent.
ALAN D. SCHEINKMAN, P.J., MARK C. DILLON, ROBERT J. MILLER, HECTOR D. LASALLE, JJ.
DECISION & JUDGMENT
ADJUDGED that the petition is denied and the proceeding is dismissed on the merits, without costs or disbursements.
The extraordinary remedy of mandamus will lie only to compel the performance of a ministerial act, and only where there exists a clear legal right to the relief sought (see Matter of Legal Aid Socy. of Sullivan County v. Scheinman, 53 N.Y.2d 12, 16, 439 N.Y.S.2d 882, 422 N.E.2d 542 ). "Because of its extraordinary nature, prohibition is available only where there is a clear legal right, and then only when a court—in cases where judicial authority is challenged—acts or threatens to act either without jurisdiction or in excess of its authorized powers" ( Matter of Holtzman v. Goldman, 71 N.Y.2d 564, 569, 528 N.Y.S.2d 21, 523 N.E.2d 297 ; see Matter of Rush v. Mordue, 68 N.Y.2d 348, 352, 509 N.Y.S.2d 493, 502 N.E.2d 170 ). The petitioner has failed to demonstrate a clear legal right to the relief sought.
SCHEINKMAN, P.J., DILLON, MILLER and LASALLE, JJ., concur.