trainor hernandez argued january decided may rather charging appellees crime fraudulently concealing assets applying receiving public assistance illinois department public aid idpa brought civil action appellees state seeking return welfare payments alleged wrongfully received part action writ attachment issued executed pursuant illinois attachment act appellees property without notice hearing instead seeking prompt hearing state moving quash attachment federal constitutional grounds appellees filed suit appellant idpa officials federal district alleging attachment act unconstitutional provided deprivation debtors property without due process law seeking inter alia return attached property declining dismiss complaint doctrine younger harris huffman pursue held act unconstitutional issued injunction directing return appellees attached property held district dismissed appellees complaint younger supra huffman supra unless state remedies inadequate litigate federal due process claim since injunction asked issued interfered illinois efforts utilize attachment act integral part state enforcement action pp principles younger huffman broad enough apply interference federal ongoing civil enforcement action brought state sovereign capacity pp federal proceeded case rather remitting appellees remedies pending state suit confronts state choice engaging duplicative litigation thereby risking temporary federal injunction interrupting enforcement proceedings pending federal decision unknown time future forecloses state opportunity construe challenged statute face federal constitutional challenges also pending decision basis district proceeding judgment ground extraordinary circumstances warranted federal interference suggestion pending state action brought bad faith harass appellees basis finding attachment act violated express constitutional provisions every clause sentence paragraph whatever manner whomever effort might made apply pp white delivered opinion burger blackmun powell rehnquist joined blackmun filed concurring opinion post brennan filed dissenting opinion marshall joined post stewart filed dissenting statement post stevens filed dissenting opinion post paul bargiel assistant attorney general illinois argued cause appellants briefs william scott attorney general stephen swofford assistant attorney general john dienner iii argued cause appellees finley et al support appellants briefs bernard carey paul biebel fred lieb argued cause appellees hernandez et ux brief alan dockterman james latturner sheldon roodman justice white delivered opinion illinois department public aid idpa filed lawsuit circuit cook county october appellees juan maria hernandez alleging fraudulently concealed assets applying receiving public assistance conduct crime illinois law rev idpa however proceeded civilly sought return money alleged wrongfully received idpa simultaneously instituted attachment proceeding appellees property pursuant illinois attachment act rev act idpa filed affidavit setting forth nature amount underlying claim alleging appellees obtained money idpa fraud writ attachment issued automatically clerk upon receipt affidavit writ given sheriff executed november money belonging appellees credit union appellees received notice attachment freezing money credit union november received writ complaint affidavit support writ writ indicated return date attachment proceeding november appellees appeared november informed matter continued december appellees never filed answer either attachment underlying complaint seek prompt hearing attempt quash attachment ground procedures surrounding issuance rendered act unconstitutional instead appellees filed instant lawsuit district northern district illinois december seeking inter alia return attached money federal complaint alleged appellees property attached pursuant act act unconstitutional provided deprivation debtors property without due process law appellees plaintiffs sought represent class may property attached without notice hearing upon creditor mere allegation fraudulent conduct pursuant illinois attachment act app named defendants appellants trainor officials idpa sought declaration defendant class made clerks circuit courts illinois another defendant class sheriffs illinois sought injunction trainor forbidding seek attachments act injunction clerks sheriffs forbidding issue serve writs attachment act appellees also sought preliminary relief form order directing sheriff cook county release property attached finally appellees sought convening pursuant district declined rule request preliminary relief parties agreed money credit union returned convened certified suit plaintiff defendant class action appellees requested app opinion dated december almost one year return date attachment state declined dismiss case doctrine younger harris huffman pursue stating huffman state ohio proceeded statute gave exclusive right action state contrast illinois attachment act provides cause action person public private mere happenstance state illinois petitioner attachment proceeding likewise coincidental pending state proceedings may arguably nature illinois attachment act need major distinctions preclude extending principles younger based considerations equity comity federalism beyond situation set forth huffman hernandez danaher supp federal state legal systems overlapping jurisdiction responsibilities frequently inquired proper role federal case pending otherwise within jurisdiction litigation parties raising issues apparently soon pending state precisely suit filed federal challenging constitutionality state law federal constitution seeking state officers enjoined enforcing federal proceed judgment appears state already instituted proceedings state enforce challenged statute federal plaintiff latter tender federal claims decided state younger harris supra samuels mackell addressed questions already pending state proceeding criminal prosecution federal plaintiff sought invalidate statute state prosecution brought circumstances ruled federal district issue neither declaratory judgment injunction dismiss case first justification gave rule simply basic doctrine equity jurisprudence courts equity act particularly act restrain criminal prosecution moving party adequate remedy law suffer irreparable injury denied equitable relief younger harris supra beyond accepted rule equity ordinarily enjoin prosecution crime however voiced vital consideration namely union federal government sovereign entities basic concerns federalism counsel interference federal courts injunctions otherwise legitimate state functions particularly operation state courts relying cases declared courts equity give scrupulous regard rightful independence state governments beal missouri pacific held intergovernmental context two classic preconditions exercise equity jurisdiction assumed new dimensions although existence adequate remedy law barring equitable relief normally determined inquiring remedies available federal rather state courts great lakes huffman inquiry broadened focus remedies available pending state proceeding accused first set rely upon defense state courts even though involves challenge validity statute unless plainly appears course afford adequate protection younger harris supra quoting fenner boykin dismissal federal suit naturally presupposes opportunity raise timely decided competent state tribunal federal issues involved gibson berryhill policy equitable restraint founded premise ordinarily pending state prosecution provides accused fair sufficient opportunity vindication federal constitutional rights kugler helfant also concluded precondition equitable relief irreparable injury satisfied unless threatened injury great immediate burden conducting defense criminal prosecution sufficient warrant interference federal courts legitimate state efforts enforce state laws extraordinary circumstances suffice later explained restrain state proceeding afforded adequate vehicle vindicating federal plaintiff constitutional rights entail unseemly failure give effect principle state courts solemn responsibility equally federal courts safeguard constitutional rights reflec negatively upon state ability steffel thompson state prevented effectuating substantive policies also continuing perform separate function providing forum competent vindicate constitutional objections interposed policies huffman pursue huffman involved propriety federal injunction execution judgment entered pending suit brought state enforce nuisance statute although state suit civil rather criminal proceeding younger principles held require dismissal federal suit noting state party nuisance proceeding nuisance statute aid closely related criminal statutes concluded federal injunction offense state interest nuisance litigation likely every bit great criminal proceeding thus traditional maxim equity enjoin criminal prosecution strictly speaking apply nuisance proceeding huffman vital consideration comity quoting younger harris counseled restraint strongly context pending state civil enforcement action context pending criminal proceeding circumstances proper federal stay hand recently applied analysis huffman proceedings similar state civil enforcement actions judicial contempt proceedings juidice vail stressed vital consideration comity underlying younger doctrine held state interest vindicating regular operation judicial system contempt process whether process labeled civil criminal sufficiently important preclude federal injunctive relief unless younger standards met cases control action appellees pending state filed federal suit state action suit state recover appellees welfare payments allegedly fraudulently obtained writ attachment issued part action district thought younger policies irrelevant suits recover money writs attachment available private parties well state coincidence state party suit arguably aid criminal law fact remains state party suit role administering programs suit accompanying writ attachment brought vindicate important state policies safeguarding fiscal integrity programs state authorities also option vindicating policies criminal prosecutions see supra although juidice state interest erhaps quite important state interest enforcement criminal laws even interest maintenance proceeding principles younger huffman broad enough apply interference federal ongoing civil enforcement action brought state sovereign capacity federal proceed case rather remit appellees remedies pending state enforcement suit confront state choice engaging duplicative litigation thereby risking temporary federal injunction interrupting enforcement proceedings pending decision federal unknown time future also foreclose opportunity state construe challenged statute face actual federal constitutional challenges also pending decision privilege wholly shared federal courts course case us state statute invalidated federal injunction prohibited state officers using enforcing attachment statute purpose eviscerating impact many state enforcement actions readily apparent disruption suits state sovereign capacity combined negative reflection state ability adjudicate federal claims occurs whenever federal enjoins pending state proceeding leads us conclusion interests comity federalism younger samuels mackell primarily rest apply full force pendency action called restraint federal dismissal appellees complaint unless extraordinary circumstances present warranting federal interference unless state remedies inadequate litigate federal due process claim extraordinary circumstances warranting equitable relief present suggestion pending state action brought bad faith purpose harassing appellees urged case comes within exception said younger might exist state statute flagrantly patently violative express constitutional prohibitions every clause sentence paragraph whatever manner whomever effort might made apply quoting watson buck even finding made doubt see supra warranted light cases compare north georgia finishing mitchell grant whether appellees presented federal due process challenge attachment statute pending state proceeding question presented addressed district placed rejection younger huffman broader grounds issue heavily laden local law rule first instance grounds district refused apply principles younger huffman infirm therefore error grounds entertain action behalf either named unnamed plaintiffs reach issue constitutionality illinois attachment statute judgment therefore reversed case remanded district proceedings consistent opinion ordered footnotes act cases sounding tort writ issued judge examined plaintiff oath determined damages suffered exceed amount attachment section act provides part affidavit statement examination oath entitle creditor writ attachment agent attorney shall make file clerk circuit affidavit setting forth nature amount claim far practicable allowing credits one causes mentioned section also stating place residence defendants known known upon diligent inquiry affiant able ascertain together written statement either embodied affidavit separately writing executed attorney attorneys representing creditor effect attachment action invoked affidavit sound tort also designation return day summons issued said action since state party normal requirement plaintiff post bond amount equal twice amount sued apply bond posted see act section act provides writ attachment required preceding section shall directed sheriff purpose service summons person authorized serve writs summons case sheriff interested otherwise disqualified prevented acting coroner county suit commenced shall made returnable return day designated plaintiff day shall less ten days sixty days date section act provides defendant may answer traversing facts stated affidavit upon attachment issued answer shall verified affidavit upon trial thereon issue shall found plaintiff defendant may answer complaint file motion directed thereto cases found defendant attachment shall quashed costs attachment shall adjudged plaintiff suit shall proceed final judgment though commenced summons appellees argue sheriffs clerks perfected appeals idpa officials litigate connection appeals validity injunction directing clerk return appellees property credit union argument meritless idpa officials parties order directing clerk return property attached benefit idpa affects interests vital way ability obtain review order depend whether clerk idpa control chooses perfect appeal see kugler helfant although cost anxiety inconvenience defend single criminal prosecution alone constitute irreparable injury special legal sense term younger harris younger left room federal equitable intervention state criminal trial showing bad faith harassment state officials responsible prosecution state law applied criminal proceeding flagrantly patently violative express constitutional prohibitions exist extraordinary circumstances necessary irreparable injury shown even absence usual prerequisites bad faith harassment ibid companion case perez ledesma explained nly cases proven harassment prosecutions undertaken state officials bad faith without hope obtaining valid conviction perhaps extraordinary circumstances irreparable injury shown federal injunctive relief pending state prosecutions appropriate see mitchum foster policy equitable restraint expressed younger harris short founded premise ordinarily pending state prosecution provides accused fair sufficient opportunity vindication federal constitutional rights see steffel thompson extraordinary circumstances render state incapable fairly fully adjudicating federal issues relaxation deference accorded state criminal process nature extraordinary circumstances course makes impossible anticipate define every situation might create sufficient threat great immediate irreparable injury warrant intervention state criminal proceedings omitted whatever else required circumstances must extraordinary sense creating extraordinarily pressing need immediate federal equitable relief merely sense presenting highly unusual factual situation title provides may grant injunction stay proceedings state except expressly authorized act congress necessary aid jurisdiction protect effectuate judgments section applicable action express statutory exception application mitchum foster significant present purposes section discriminate civil criminal proceedings pending state courts furthermore provides district courts shall enjoin suspend restrain levy collection tax state law adequate remedies available state tribunals prior cases time counseled restraint actions seeking enjoin state officials enforcing state statutes implementing public policies necessarily distinguish type proceedings civil criminal pending contemplated state officers wilson schnettler allegheny county mashuda alabama public service southern burford sun oil great lakes huffman brillhart excess ins watson buck beal missouri pacific spielman motor sales dodge pennsylvania williams hawks hamill matthews rodgers massachusetts state grange benton fenner boykin juidice vail occasion decide whether younger principles apply civil litigation appellees argue injunction issued way interfered pending state case point fact attachment proceeding interfered underlying fraud action may continue unimpeded claim attachment proceeding proceeding within doctrine younger huffman regard rely lynch household finance fuentes shevin gerstein pugh none cases control case attachment issued clerk much part underlying action fraud moreover attachment case contained return date parties appear time appellees opportunity contest validity attachment thus attachment proceeding pending state courts within younger huffman doctrine time federal suit parties disagreement issue state squarely asserting appellees denying federal due process claim presented decided pending attachment proceeding justice stevens dissent offers additional reasons relied appellees addressed state concluding state suit offer adequate forum litigating federal claim resolve conflicting views appellees argued relief granted favor class members barred younger huffman state cases pending since class never certified need address argument justice blackmun concurring join opinion write stress substantiality state interest proceeding important factor abstention cases younger harris beginning discussing comity younger clearly indicated federal state interests taken account concept mean blind deference rights means centralization control every important issue national government courts framers rejected courses concept represent system sensitivity legitimate interests state national governments national government anxious though may vindicate protect federal rights federal interests always endeavors ways unduly interfere legitimate activities cases state interest attenuated refused order younger abstention thus steffel thompson state prosecution merely threatened federal free reach merits claim declaratory judgment case opportunity adjudication constitutional rights federal forum authorized declaratory judgment act becomes paramount ellis dyson see generally kanowitz deciding federal law issues civil proceedings state versus federal trial courts hastings const application principles instant case leads agree order reversing remanding case like satisfied state proceeding pending ante find significant fact state party sovereign capacity state suit federal suit ante emphasize importance fact state interest pending state proceeding substantial view fact state option proceeding either civilly criminally impose sanctions fraudulent concealment assets one applies receives public assistance demonstrates underlying state interest order importance interests younger huffman propriety abstention depend state choice vindicate interests less drastic perhaps lenient route addition notes proceeding played important role safeguarding fiscal integrity public assistance programs since benefits recovery fraudulently obtained funds enjoyed taxpayers state reasonable recognize distinction state status creditor status private parties using procedures existence foregoing factors brings case squarely within prior younger abstention rulings justice brennan justice marshall joins dissenting continues wholly improper course extending younger principles deny federal forum plaintiffs invoking decision meritorious federal constitutional claims civil action might entertain claims pending state view decision patently disregards congress purpose enacting open federal courts decision claims without regard pendency state civil actions decision indefensibly departs prior decisions respectfully dissent attachment proceeding appellees credit union savings instituted illinois department public aid idpa illinois attachment act simultaneously filing civil lawsuit state recovery public welfare funds allegedly fraudulently obtained attachment initiated idpa filled blanks affidavit attachment stating defendants juan maria hernandez within two years preceding filing affidavit fraudulently concealed disposed property hinder delay creditors italics indicate matter inserted blanks idpa app appellees appeared state return date november informed hearing validity attachment continued december meantime appellees deprived use savings faced pending rent car repair bills past due electricity gas telephone bills december appellees filed complaint federal district seeking declaratory judgment injunction enforcement illinois attachment act december two weeks continued hearing appellees sought temporary restraining order release credit union savings custody sheriff district effected agreement parties whereby idpa agreed release attached funds accordingly act motion temporary restraining order district convened district found required abstain deciding constitutional merits appellees challenge enjoined enforcement act ground act patently flagrantly violative constitution hernandez danaher supp nd reverses holds district dismissed suit thus continuing course initiated huffman pursue furthered term juidice vail extending younger principles pending civil actions ii already set length reasons disagreement extension younger abstention principles civil cases particularly actions huffman pursue supra dissenting opinion juidice vail supra dissenting opinion repeat suggests case like huffman involves statute enacted aid criminal law huffman state ohio brought statutory nuisance suit state close theater previously adjudged shown obscene films huffman stated words quoted today nuisance proceeding aid closely related criminal statutes ante precise question case hould federal proceed judgment appears state already instituted proceedings state enforce challenged statute federal plaintiff latter tender federal claims decided state ante framing question answer narrowly apparently desires leave another day question applicability younger abstention principles civil suits generally ante juidice supra brennan dissenting see huffman supra insistence interests comity federalism younger samuels mackell primarily rest apply full force ante signal merely formal announcement postponed juidice supra brennan dissenting younger samuels mackell dismissed suits plaintiffs sought injunctions pending criminal prosecutions agreed results ending state criminal proceedings always viewed paradigm cases involving paramount state interests juidice supra brennan dissenting abstention principles developed avoid interfering state criminal prosecutions manifestly inapplicable case federal plaintiffs seek injunction use statutory attachment proceedings properly speaking part pending civil suit relief granted way interfered prevented state proceeding suit state merely enjoined use unconstitutional mechanism attaching assets state hoped satisfy judgment prevailed merits underlying lawsuit say interest state continuing use unconstitutional attachment mechanism insure payment liability yet established brings play full force interest comity federalism present state criminal prosecution simply wrong fuentes shevin suit challenging prejudgment replevin statute addressed precisely point since plaintiffs sought injunction pending future proceeding rather challenged summary process prejudgment seizure property fuentes concluded younger principles posed bar federal granting relief sought see also lynch household finance gerstein pugh application younger principles also inappropriate even underlying lawsuit state seeks civil recovery money allegedly fraudulently received relies state fortuitous presence plaintiff suit conclude suit closely related criminal suit hard pressed understand mere happenstance state illinois rather private party invoked attachment act makes reliance presence state may suggest might view differently attachment act instance private party reason advanced state plaintiff enjoy advantage courts ordinary citizen plaintiff analysis seems solicitousness state use unconstitutional ancillary proceeding civil lawsuit hardly compelled great principles federalism comity mutual respect federal state courts account younger progeny principles give strength younger simply support inflexible rule federal courts enjoining state civil proceedings younger justified primarily basis longstanding rule courts equity particularly act restrain criminal prosecution comparably rigid rule enjoining civil proceedings never suggested huffman civil proceedings assumed state interests compelling importance outweigh interests litigants seeking vindication federal rights federal particularly statute expressly enacted congress provide federal forum purpose even assuming federal abstention might conceivably appropriate civil cases transformation must think exception absolute rule crosses line abstention abdication enacted congress weighed competing demands federalism consciously decided protect federal rights federal forum previously recognized enacted express purpose altering judicial balance theretofore existed offering uniquely federal remedy incursions claimed authority state law upon rights secured constitution laws nation mitchum foster state courts course bound follow federal constitution equally federal courts congress clearly ordained constitutionally may federal courts primary powerful reliances vindicating federal rights steffel thompson emphasis original federal courts flatly prohibited regardless circumstances individual claim violation federal rights implementing uniquely federal remedy deference purported state interests maintenance state civil suits effectively cripple congressional scheme enacted juidice vail brennan dissenting iii even assuming arguendo applicability younger principles agree district illinois attachment act falls within one established exceptions principles example extraordinary circumstance might justify intervention younger referred statute might flagrantly patently violative express constitutional prohibitions every clause sentence paragraph whatever manner whomever effort might made apply quoting watson buck explicitly relying exception younger district held illinois act patently flagrantly violative constitution holds finding insufficient bring case within younger exception exception might exist state statute flagrantly patently violative express constitutional prohibitions every clause sentence paragraph whatever manner whomever effort might made apply quoting watson buck even finding made doubt warranted light cases ante disagree obviously requirement watson buck formulation must literally satisfied renders exception meaningless brother stevens demonstrates post elevates literalistic definitional status obviously meant illustrative non exhaustive human mind possess clairvoyance foresee whether every clause sentence paragraph statute unconstitutional whatever manner whomever effort might made apply sensible construction test treat every clause wording redundant least decisions make clear challenged statute patently flagrantly violative constitution thought decided much kugler helfant stating younger left room federal equitable intervention state criminal trial state law applied criminal proceeding flagrantly patently violative express constitutional prohibitions emphasis supplied clearly illinois attachment act patently flagrantly violative express constitutional prohibitions relevant decisions north georgia finishing struck georgia garnishment statute permitted issuance writ garnishment clerk upon filing affidavit containing conclusory allegations provision early hearing creditor required demonstrate least probable cause garnishment illinois attachment act constitutionally indistinguishable georgia statute struck north georgia finishing case affidavit filed contained conclusory allegations case taken preprinted form requiring affiant fill names persons whose property wished attach upon filing form affidavit clerk issued writ attachment matter course far requiring early hearing challenge validity attachment illinois act provided party seeking attachment unilaterally set return date writ time days date execution rev case demonstrates interval necessarily represent outer limit actual hearing date illinois willing grant continuance beyond date provided writ attachment even though appellees appeared proper date wished go forward hearing time one seriously contend illinois act even remotely resembles sustained mitchell grant thus falls within exception sniadach family finance fuentes shevin north georgia finishing supra carved case grant upheld louisiana sequestration statute writ sequestration issued filing affidavit grounds relied upon issuance writ clearly appear ed specific facts showing grounds issuance writ made judge rather clerk debtor entitled immediately full hearing matter possession following execution writ none procedural safeguards provided illinois act district unanimously correctly concluded act face patently violative due process clause fourteenth amendment gives bare citations north georgia finishing grant ante declines discuss analyze even cursory manner decisions clearly support district holding sensible construction younger exception silence insistence upon compliance literal wording watson buck confirms conviction determined extend state civil proceedings generally holding younger huffman pursue give exceptions narrowest possible reach respectfully dissent illinois rev provides competent jurisdiction creditor money claim may attachment property debtor either time instituting suit thereafter one following cases seventh debtor within years prior filing affidavit fraudulently concealed disposed property hinder delay creditors fact appears appellees concealed disposed property hinder delay creditors even allegations unsworn attachment complaint taken true complaint alleges fraudulently concealed personal property order obtain public assistance concealment undertaken avoid payment creditors part form affidavit applicable appellees appears tracks rev ninth debt sued fraudulently contracted part defendant statements agent attorney constitute fraud reduced writing signature attached thereto sel agent attorney app however idpa fill blanks portion form rely seeking writ attachment precise date agreement release half attached funds appear record points district issue opinion case one year date appellees continued hearing state challenge validity attachment ante irrelevant since motion temporary restraining order filed two weeks continued hearing state resulted agreement release half appellees savings thus practical matter appellees received important relief federal district time relief state highly speculative even presence state plaintiff proceeding held significance fail see federal courts accord greater deference state fiscal interest far basic function collecting state taxes brother stevens conclusively demonstrates post standard applied today goes well beyond statutory standard federal enjoining collection taxes predicated upon finding plain speedy efficient remedy state law quotation complete buck sentence carefully identified kugler merely one example type circumstances justify federal intervention curiously ante quotes kugler abridged formulation makes attempt explain reference finally applies every clause sentence paragraph test basis decision ante justice stevens dissenting today adds four new complexities doctrine bewildered federal courts several years first finds meaningful difference state procedure patently flagrantly violative constitution one flagrantly patently violative express constitutional prohibitions every clause sentence paragraph whatever manner whomever effort might made apply second holds unconstitutional collection procedure may used state agency though others distinction state status creditor status private parties using procedures third application abstention doctrine case provides even greater protection state proceeding ordinary creditor statutory protection mandated congress state capacity tax collector fourth without disagreeing district conclusion illinois attachment procedure unconstitutional remands order enable district decide whether invalid procedure provides adequate remedy vindication appellees federal rights comment complexities may shed light character abstention doctrine viewed district found illinois attachment procedure patently flagrantly violative constitution hernandez danaher supp nd hand writes urged case comes within exception said younger might exist state statute flagrantly patently violative express constitutional prohibitions every clause sentence paragraph whatever manner whomever effort might made apply quoting watson buck even finding made doubt warranted light cases ante emphasis added source exception passage justice black written years earlier watson buck case involved complicated state antitrust act basis conclusion certain sections unconstitutional district enjoined enforcement entire act reversed holding first invalidity part statute justify injunction entire act second event eight sections question valid explanation first branch holding justice black pointed statutes totally unconstitutional every part since watson involved new statute construed state since construction might affected constitutionality justice black comment emphasized point untried state statute invalidated federal state opportunity construe consideration present case involving attack state statute use century nothing watson implies limited injunction invalid portion statute long standing improper wrote opinion younger harris justice black quoted foregoing excerpt watson case example situation appropriate federal enjoin pending state criminal prosecution however imply earlier language rigidly defined boundaries one kind exception equitable rationale underlying younger decision today seems saying patently flagrantly unconstitutional exception abstention unavailable whenever statute legitimate title legitimate severability clause equally innocuous provision fair reading opinion given justice black illustrative language definitional significance effect treatment preserves illusion flexibility application abstention actually eliminates one exceptions doctrine typical constitutional attack statute focuses one objectionable features although justice black indicated watson conceivable totally unconstitutional statutes possibility quite remote importantly never explained sections statute must considered invalid order justify injunction portion flagrantly unconstitutional even finds constitutional issue less clear district understand governmental interest served refusing address merits stage proceedings ii explicitly decide whether younger principles apply civil litigation ante holding case therefore rests squarely fact state rather litigant creditor invoked illinois attachment procedure rationale tenable unless principles federalism require greater deference state interest collecting claims interest providing forum creditors community seem rather obvious amount money involved particular dispute matter far less concern sovereign integrity procedures consequently fact state party pending proceeding make less objectionable constitutional issue adjudicated federal forum private litigants involved therefore find hard accept contrary evaluation principled application majestic language justice black younger opinion iii state valid interest collecting taxes obligations recognition need desire minimize federal interference state matters congress provided federal may enjoin collection state taxes taxpayer plain speedy efficient remedy state law congress however placed restriction power federal decide whether taxpayer remedy fact plain speedy efficient quite contrary qualifying prohibition enjoining collection state taxes congress actually directed federal courts review adequacy taxpayer remedies moreover repeatedly held state remedy uncertain federal must provide relief justice holmes put leave plaintiffs speculation upon state might say action law brought wallace hines doctrine younger developed equitable principles applied interpret cases confronted statutory restriction reluctant decide first instance whether state remedy adequate congress provided special protection federal interference state agency suing collect nontax obligations equitable considerations well considerations comity federalism preclude unwarranted interference litigation brought agency surely agency entitled greater protection state tax collector nevertheless fashioning nonstatutory abstention doctrine requires even greater deference state ordinary litigant congress regarded appropriate state basic fiscal needs iv decision remand litigation district decide whether illinois attachment procedure provides debtor appropriate forum challenge constitutionality illinois attachment procedure ironic procedure includes among undesirable features set rules effectively foreclose challenge constitutionality illinois courts although true illinois attachment act rev allows defendant file motion quash attachment purpose motion test sufficiency truth facts alleged affidavit adequacy attachment bond section act precludes consideration issues even contrary fair reading statute might construed allow consideration constitutional challenge motion quash trial judge may summarily reject challenge without fear reversal order denying motion interlocutory nonappealable ruling validity attachment become final underlying tort contract claim resolved time attachment issue course moot prevailing party entitled property regardless validity attachment clear proceeding pending state afford appellees case adequate remedy violation federal constitutional rights disposition points larger problem confronting litigants seek challenge state procedure violative due process clause fourteenth amendment suggested separate opinion juidice vail principled application rationale younger harris forecloses abstention cases federal challenge constitutionality state procedure since federal plaintiff raised serious question fairness illinois attachment procedure since procedure afford plain speedy efficient remedy federal claim necessarily follows younger abstention inappropriate thirty years ago justice rutledge characterized series illinois procedures effectively foreclosed consideration merits federal constitutional claims procedural labyrinth made entirely blind alleys marino ragen today illinois litigants may appropriately apply characterization increasingly daedalian doctrine abstention respectfully dissent see example judge pell search synthesizing principle article abstention primrose path name depaul rev ante quotes excerpt watson buck turn quoted younger harris see justice blackmun concurring opinion ante cavalier statement finding obvious unconstitutionality warranted prior cases simply ignores careful analysis serious defects illinois statute identified opinion district justice brennan dissenting opinion florida legislation involved watson buck regulated business persons holding music copyrights declared certain combinations persons illegal restraint trade district held sections statute conflicted federal copyright laws without considering validity remaining sections enjoined enforcement sections passing upon possible significance manifold provisions broad statute advance efforts apply separate provisions analogous rendering advisory opinion upon statute declaratory judgment upon hypothetical case course conceivable statute might flagrantly patently violative express constitutional prohibitions every clause sentence paragraph whatever manner whomever effort might made apply may course extraordinary circumstances necessary irreparable injury shown even absence usual prerequisites bad faith harassment example long ago buck case supra indicated course conceivable statute might flagrantly patently violative express constitutional prohibitions every clause sentence paragraph whatever manner whomever effort might made apply unusual situations calling federal intervention might also arise point attempting specify might indeed kind determination routine business federal see tully griffin see hopkins southern cal tel mountain power public service montana plain speedy efficient remedy predicated upon problematical outcome future consideration spector motor service mclaughlin justice douglas wrote uncertainty concerning state remedy make speculative whether state affords full protection federal rights hillsborough cromwell emphasis added cited approval term tully griffin supra hillsborough decided first instance state remedies uncertain extent inadequate finally shaffer carter held even though state procedures might adequate remedy federal question validity tax procedures remedy federal wrong connection procedures hence ground least resort properly equity relief since equity justice halves prevent possible multiplicity suits jurisdiction extends disposition questions raised bill ibid equitable principles relied upon younger ancient vintage first judiciary act congress directed equity withheld plain adequate complete remedy may law scott neely noted congress prohibition declaratory rule obtaining controlling equity proceedings earliest period england always country often adjudged whenever respecting right violated law competent render judgment affording plain adequate complete remedy party aggrieved must seek remedy defendant constitutional right trial jury prohibition act congress pursue remedy cases equity one major cases relied upon great lakes dredge dock huffman held although congress specifically prohibited declaratory judgments concerning validity state statutes nonetheless equitable principles required result find unnecessary inquire whether words statute may construed prohibit declaration federal courts concerning invalidity state tax opinion considerations led federal courts equity refuse enjoin collection state taxes save exceptional cases require like restraint use declaratory judgment procedure pronouncement read prohibiting declaratory judgments extent injunctive suits illinois central howlett sprecher section rev provides writ attachment shall quashed property taken thereon restored plaintiff shall cause legal sufficient affidavit attachment bond filed writ amended event cause shall proceed proceedings originally sufficient thus valid question raised proceeding concerning attachment whether facts pleaded affidavit writ true course allows amendment improperly pleaded writ affidavit smith hodge brignall merkle app rabits live oak perry gulf app american mortgage first national mortgage present case appellees appeared return date writ attachment november days property attached informed matter continued december ante days later opinion points person sues writ attachment absolute discretion act rev set return date writ attachment anywhere days property attached return date appears first chance attachment challenged case points proceedings return date summarily continued least month longer thus property may well attached three months longer even motion entertained also noted ection give defendant absolute right hearing attachment issue immediately seizure indeed attachment act contains provision prompt hearing validity attachment compared act rev requires immediately direct jury impaneled inquire right property cases person defendant claims interest property attached deference needs prompt action response interpleading claimant signifies general lax attitude act takes regard rights persons whose property attached appellees appeared return date informed matter continued month seek prompt hearing attempt quash attachment ground procedures surrounding issuance rendered act unconstitutional ante state suggests act rev allows appellees make appropriate motion attachment statute unconstitutional however provides provisions civil practice act shall apply proceedings hereunder except otherwise provided act emphasis added note discussion supra statute authorize raising unconstitutionality defense attachment state also cites sup rule provides party may call motion disposition time normal disposition however provide prompt hearing allows appellees ask one request may may granted discretion neither rule assures appellees prompt hearing neither overrides fact appears foreclose defense unconstitutionality attacking attachment abstention unless state procedure affords plain speedy efficient remedy federal wrong indeed opinion younger basing decision basic equity principles acknowledges fundamental requirement application abstention doctrine majority opinion case question presented whether abstention proper state already instituted proceedings appellees tender federal claims decided state ante proceeds quote numerous cases requiring adequate state remedy application abstention doctrine younger harris quoting fenner boykin requiring federal plaintiff first set rely defense state courts even though involves challenge validity statute unless plainly appears course afford adequate protection gibson berryhill dismissal federal suit naturally presuppos ing opportunity raise timely decided competent state tribunal federal issues involved kugler helfant abstention founded premise ordinarily pending state prosecution provides accused fair sufficient opportunity vindication federal constitutional rights ante judgment state procedure challenged adequate forum must one sufficiently independent alleged unconstitutional procedure judge impartially provide prompt relief procedure found wanting illinois procedure pointed providing relief remedy uncertain federal jurisdiction exists