The courts
mandamus
A writ ordering a government official or lower court to perform a duty the law leaves them no discretion about. Granted only in extraordinary cases.
In full
Mandamus does not decide how an official should exercise judgment; it compels action where the duty is clear and no adequate alternative exists. It is also the vehicle by which a party can ask an appellate court to correct a lower court immediately rather than waiting for final judgment. Marbury v. Madison began as a mandamus request.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.