Legal Definitions - Thibodaux abstention

Thibodaux abstention is a legal term that refers to a federal court's decision to abstain from deciding a case so that state courts can decide difficult issues of public importance that, if decided by the federal court, could result in unnecessary friction between state and federal authorities.

For example, in Louisiana Power & Light Co. v. City of Thibodaux, a federal court abstained from deciding a case involving a dispute between a city and a power company over the rates charged for electricity. The court decided to abstain because the issue was a matter ofstate law and could be better resolved by state courts, which were more familiar with the local laws and customs.

Thibodaux abstention is just one type of abstention that federal courts can use to avoid interfering with state affairs. Other types of abstention include Burford abstention, Colorado River abstention, equitable abstention, permissive abstention, and Pullman abstention.