mandamus

[ man-dey-muhs ]

noun

, plural man·da·mus·es.

1. a writ from a superior court to an inferior court or to an officer, corporation, etc., commanding that a specified thing be done.

verb (used with object)

1. to intimidate or serve with such writ.

mandamus

/ mænˈdeɪməs /

noun

1. law formerly a writ from, now an order of, a superior court commanding an inferior tribunal, public official, corporation, etc, to carry out a public duty

Word History and Origins

Origin of mandamus¹

From the Latin word mandāmus we command

Word History and Origins

Origin of mandamus¹

C16: Latin, literally: we command, from mandāre to command

Example Sentences

Crawford’s group, Georgia First, which is focused on election access and security, has signaled that it plans to file for a writ of mandamus — a court order that could compel Georgia officials to ensure elections are administered according to the state’s laws, rather than the election board’s rules.

From Salon

Georgia law is explicit that certification is mandatory and that attempts by county board members not to certify votes would prompt interested parties to seek a writ of mandamus, a type of court order forcing government officials to properly fulfill their official duties.

From Salon

"So far, states have shut down these dangerous efforts to sabotage the certification process—including in Arizona and New Mexico where state authorities secured emergency court orders, called writs of mandamus, compelling county officials to follow the law," reads the report.

From Salon

But special counsel Jack Smith does have one option, which he already hinted at deploying in an April legal filing, back when Cannon wanted to instruct prospective jurors that maybe Trump had a legal right to take any classified documents he pleased: a “writ of mandamus.”

From Salon

As The Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin noted, the bar for a writ of mandamus “is exceptionally high,” requiring that prosecutors show they have no alternative and a “clear and indisputable right to the requested relief,” which in her view “makes this a long shot.”

From Salon