Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary
Need Professional Help? Talk to a Lawyer
Enter Your Zip Code to Connect with a Lawyer Serving Your Area
Enter Your Zip Code to Connect with a Lawyer Serving Your Area
- Abstention Doctrine
- The principle underlying a federal court's decision not to hear a case or controversy that is also being considered by a state court. Federal courts will abstain when they want to avoid the possibility that their decisions could conflict with a state's administration of its own affairs.
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Find us on Google+
Watch us on YouTube
Listen to us on iTunes