Legal Definitions - Younger abstention

Definition: Younger abstention is a legal principle that refers to a federal court's decision not to interfere with an ongoing state criminal proceeding or civil proceeding used to enforce criminal law, unless the prosecution has been brought in bad faith or merely as harassment.

Example: In the case of Younger v. Harris, the Supreme Court ruled that a federal court should not interfere with a state criminal proceeding unless there is evidence of bad faith or harassment. This means that if someone is facing criminal charges in a state court, a federal court cannot intervene unless there is a clear violation of their constitutional rights.

Another example of Younger abstention is when a federal court decides not to interfere with a state-court civil proceeding used to enforce criminal law, such as abating an obscene nuisance. This means that if a state court is trying to enforce a law related to criminal activity, a federal court should not interfere unless there is a clear violation of constitutional rights.

These examples illustrate how Younger abstention is a legal principle that allows state courts to handle criminal and civil proceedings related to criminal law without interference from federal courts, unless there is a clear violation of constitutional rights.