Montes, In re, 82-2201

Decision Date18 May 1982
Docket NumberNo. 82-2201,82-2201
Citation677 F.2d 415
PartiesIn re Ramon MONTES, Sheriff of El Paso County, Texas, Petitioner.
CourtU.S. Court of Appeals — Fifth Circuit

Michael Patrick Davis, Asst. County Atty., El Paso, Tex., for petitioner.

William Bennett Turner, San Francisco, Cal., Rick Gray, Asst. Atty. Gen., Austin, Tex., Bruce Ponder, El Paso, Tex., Dennis J. Dempsey, Dept. of Justice, Washington, D. C., for respondent.

On Petition for Writ of Mandamus and/or Prohibition to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

Before CLARK, Chief Judge, RUBIN and TATE, Circuit Judges.

BY THE COURT:

The Sheriff seeks relief under the All-Writs Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1651. That statute empowers courts of appeals to issue all writs necessary or appropriate in aid of their jurisdiction. The Sheriff, however, has not shown that our jurisdiction is involved in this matter at this time. No attempt has been made to secure relief either from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas or from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The motion presented to us is the very first pleading raising the issue whether the Texas Department of Corrections has refused to accept prisoners from the Sheriff or whether the number of prisoners in the county jail violates the order of the Western District of Texas or whether there is any conflict in the operation of the two district court orders.

In effect the relief sought is the suspension of an injunction. No application has been made to a district court, as required by Rule 8, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. The argument is made that it would be vain to do so because of the action taken by the District Court for the Southern District of Texas in another matter. That, however, is not an adequate reason for noncompliance with Rule 8.

As an appellate court, we cannot take evidence or hear matters initially. We are dependent entirely on the record made in a trial court. None has been made. Miller v. Connally, 354 F.2d 206 (5th Cir. 1963). All parties agree that the Texas Department of Corrections made a change in its policy on May 17, 1982, after this emergency petition was filed. We lack evidence of the effect of that change.

Moreover, even if our jurisdiction were properly invoked, it is well settled that relief under the All-Writs Act is not available unless the applicant has shown that he has no other adequate remedy. In re: Chicago, R.I. & P....

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6 cases
  • Ark. Teacher Ret. Sys. v. State St. Bank & Trust Co., C.A. No. 11-10230-MLW
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — District of Massachusetts
    • 19 Enero 2021
    ...a motion having been made, the district court denied the motion or failed to afford the relief requested." See also In re Montes, 677 F.2d 415, 416 (5th Cir. 1982) (dismissing application for failure to first apply to district court); Whole Woman's Health v. Paxton, 972 F.3d 649, 653-54 (5t......
  • Chambers v. Cassady, 16-1427
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Eighth Circuit
    • 5 Mayo 2016
    ...Second, relief under the All Writs Act is only available to parties who lack an adequate alternative remedy, see In re Montes, 677 F.2d 415, 416 (5th Cir. 1982) (per curiam); and an action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 is available to a prisoner who claims that prison policies on legal assistance ......
  • Chemical Weapons Working Group (CWWG) v. Department of the Army, 96-4166
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Tenth Circuit
    • 6 Diciembre 1996
    ...Only upon completion of the district court's factfinding role, should this court consider any relief pending appeal. See In re Montes, 677 F.2d 415, 416 (5th Cir.1982); Ruiz v. Estelle, 650 F.2d 555, 567 (5th The dissent primarily takes issue with the majority's failure to refer appellants'......
  • Wall v. Pearson, No. 08-60772 (5th. Cir. 4/30/2009)
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Fifth Circuit
    • 30 Abril 2009
    ...relief under the All Writs Act, it is not available unless the applicant can show that he has no other adequate remedy. In re Montes, 677 F.2d 415, 416 (5th Cir. 1982). As previously discussed, Wall has an adequate remedy to obtain The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying ......
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