In re Smith
In brief
The Supreme Court declined Smith’s request, did not order the Sixth Circuit to act, and left the delay questions unanswered.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided · May 4, 2020
- What it’s about
- The Court denied Smith’s request for a writ of mandamus to force the Sixth Circuit to rule on his pending request for a certificate of appealability. The result left the Sixth Circuit without a Supreme Court order requiring immediate action.
- Who it affects
- The Sixth Circuit received no Supreme Court order requiring immediate action on Smith’s pending request, and the delay questions remain unresolved.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Sixth Circuit had not ruled on Smith’s pending request for more than 14 months when he sought the Supreme Court’s help.
This was a procedural request to make the Sixth Circuit act on a pending motion, not a Supreme Court decision on the legal questions behind that motion.
Question presented
1. Whether the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit’s failure to rule on Petitioner’s motion for a certificate of appealability for over fourteen months constitutes an undue delay. 2. Whether a writ of mandamus should issue to compel the Sixth Circuit to rule on the pending motion.
What the Court decided
Holding
Petition DENIED.
What's next
The Supreme Court’s docket action is finished. Any ruling on Smith’s pending request was left to the Sixth Circuit, and this order did not require immediate action.
Documents
Docket activity
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AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
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Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.