Remember, youre not just asking for an appeal or expedited review, youre running to the appellate court, raising a red flag over your head, shouting for relief, and praying the justices dont look the other way. Mulford v. Turner (1850) 1 Cal. 2731.08 Service of writ. Information, Caucuses - Services, Legislators In Latin, the word mandamus means "we command." The legal term writ of mandamus refers to an order by a court to a lesser government official to perform an act required by law, which he has refused or neglected to do. State ex rel. 2-3