Will v. United States

Simmie Horwitz was charged with criminal tax evasion before Judge Will (defendant). Judge Will ordered the government to answer an information request in Horwitz's bill of particulars; the prosecutor refused, and Judge Will indicated he would dismiss the case. The government sought a writ of mandamus to force Judge Will to vacate the order. The Ninth Circuit first denied the writ but, on reconsideration, issued it without any accompanying opinion. Judge Will appealed.

Whether a court of appeals may issue a writ of mandamus without giving any reasoned justification for the issuance.