Legal Definitions - abstain

Definition: To voluntarily refrain from doing something, such as voting in a deliberative assembly. (Of a federal court) to refrain from exercising jurisdiction over a matter.

• During the election, some people choose to abstain from voting because they don't like any of the candidates.
• When a judge abstains from exercising jurisdiction over a case, it means they choose not to make a decision on the matter.

The first example illustrates how someone can choose to abstain from voting in an election. This could be because they don't like any of the candidates or they don't feel informed enough to make a decision. The second example shows how a federal court can abstain from exercising jurisdiction over a case. This could be because they feel the matter is better suited for a state court or another jurisdiction.