steffel thompson argued november decided march petitioner twice warned stop handbilling exterior sidewalk shopping center american involvement vietnam threatened arrest police failed whose companion continued handbilling charged violating georgia criminal trespass law brought action injunctive declaratory relief district claiming application law violate first fourteenth amendment rights district dismissed action finding meaningful contention made state acted act bad faith therefore rudiments active controversy parties lacking appeals affirmed view younger harris made clear irreparable injury must measured harassment test must applied request injunctive relief threatened well pending state criminal prosecution followed reasoning samuels mackell test harassment prerequisite declaratory relief respect threatened prosecution held case presents actual controversy art iii constitution federal declaratory judgment act alleged threats prosecution circumstances alleged imaginary speculative unnecessary petitioner expose actual arrest prosecution make constitutional challenge whether controversy remains substantial continuing light effect recent reduction nation involvement vietnam petitioner desire engage handbilling shopping center must resolved district remand pp federal declaratory relief precluded prosecution based upon assertedly unconstitutional state statute threatened pending even showing enforcement special circumstances made pp state criminal proceeding pending time federal complaint filed considerations equity comity federalism younger harris samuels mackell supra based little vitality federal intervention result duplicative legal proceedings disruption state criminal justice system federal intervention circumstance interpreted reflecting negatively upon state courts ability enforce constitutional principles pp even appeals correctly viewed injunctive relief inappropriate question reached petitioner abandoned request remedy erred treating requests injunctive declaratory relief single issue holding failure demonstrate irreparable injury precluded granting declaratory relief congress plainly intended declaratory judgment available milder alternative injunction test constitutionality state criminal statutes pp determining whether appropriate grant declaratory relief state criminal proceeding pending immaterial whether attack made constitutionality state criminal statute face applied cameron johnson distinguished pp brennan delivered opinion unanimous stewart filed concurring opinion burger joined post white filed concurring opinion post rehnquist filed concurring opinion burger joined post howard moore argued cause petitioner brief elizabeth rindskopf william gignilliat iii lawrence cohen argued cause respondents brief respondents hudgens et al dock davis justice brennan delivered opinion state criminal proceeding disputed state criminal statute pending federal plaintiff time federal complaint filed younger harris samuels mackell held respectively unless enforcement special circumstances demonstrated principles equity comity federalism preclude issuance federal injunction restraining enforcement criminal statute unusual circumstances declaratory judgment upon constitutionality statute case presents important question reserved samuels mackell whether declaratory relief precluded state prosecution threatened pending showing enforcement special circumstances made petitioner others filed complaint district northern district georgia invoking civil rights act jurisdictional implementation complaint requested declaratory judgment pursuant code ann applied violation petitioner first fourteenth amendment rights injunction restraining respondents solicitor civil criminal dekalb county chief dekalb county police owner north dekalb shopping center manager shopping center enforcing statute interfere petitioner constitutionally protected activities parties stipulated relevant facts october petitioner individuals distributing handbills protesting american involvement vietnam exterior sidewalk north dekalb shopping center shopping center employees asked stop handbilling leave declined police officers summoned officers told arrested stop handbilling group left avoid arrest two days later petitioner companion returned shopping center began handbilling manager center called police petitioner companion told failure stop handbilling result arrests petitioner left avoid arrest companion stayed however continued handbilling arrested subsequently arraigned charge criminal trespass violation petitioner alleged complaint although desired return shopping center distribute handbills done concern arrested violation parties stipulated petitioner returned refused upon request stop handbilling warrant sworn might arrested charged violation georgia statute hearing district denied relief dismissed action finding meaningful contention made state acted future act bad faith therefore rudiments active controversy parties lacking supp petitioner appealed denial declaratory relief appeals fifth circuit one judge concurring result affirmed district judgment refusing declaratory relief becker thompson recognized holdings younger harris samuels mackell expressly limited situations state prosecutions pending federal action commenced view younger harris made clear beyond peradventure irreparable injury must measured bad faith harassment test must applied request injunctive relief threatened state criminal prosecution well pending prosecution furthermore since opinion samuels mackell reasoned declaratory relief normally disrupt state criminal justice system manner injunctive relief followed test bad faith harassment prerequisite declaratory relief threatened prosecution petition rehearing en banc denied three judges dissenting granted certiorari reverse threshold must consider whether petitioner presents actual controversy requirement imposed art iii constitution express terms federal declaratory judgment act unlike three appellees younger harris petitioner alleged threats prosecution characterized imaginary speculative twice warned stop handbilling claims constitutionally protected told police handbills shopping center disobeys warning stop likely prosecuted prosecution petitioner handbilling companion ample demonstration petitioner concern arrest chimerical poe ullman circumstances necessary petitioner first expose actual arrest prosecution entitled challenge statute claims deters exercise constitutional rights see epperson arkansas moreover petitioner challenge specific provisions state law provided basis threats criminal prosecution cf boyle landry watson buck nonetheless remains question continuing existence live acute controversy must resolved remand order today golden zwickler appellee sought declaratory judgment state criminal statute prohibiting distribution anonymous literature unconstitutional appellee complaint expressed desire distribute handbills forthcoming campaign congressman later learned congressman retired house representatives become new york justice circumstance found extant controversy since record revealed appellee sole target distribution congressman immediate prospect congressman becoming candidate public office petitioner complaint indicates handbilling activities directed war vietnam foreign policy southeast asia since ignore recent developments reducing nation involvement part world district remand determine subsequent events altered petitioner desire engage handbilling shopping center longer said case presents substantial controversy parties adverse legal interests sufficient immediacy reality warrant issuance declaratory judgment maryland casualty pacific coal oil see zwickler koota ii turn question whether district appeals correctly found petitioner request declaratory relief inappropriate sensitive principles equity comity federalism recognized younger harris supra federal courts ordinarily refrain enjoining ongoing state criminal prosecutions cognizant pending state proceeding unusual cases provide federal plaintiff necessary vehicle vindicating constitutional rights circumstance restraining ongoing prosecution entail unseemly failure give effect principle state courts solemn responsibility equally federal courts guard enforce protect every right granted secured constitution robb connolly samuels mackell supra also found principles ordinarily flouted issuance federal declaratory judgment state proceeding pending since intrusive effect declaratory relief result precisely interference disruption state proceedings policy limiting injunctions designed avoid therefore held samuels cases state criminal prosecution begun prior federal suit equitable principles relevant propriety injunction must taken consideration federal district courts determining whether issue declaratory judgment neither younger samuels however decided question whether federal intervention might permissible absence pending state prosecution younger said express view circumstances federal courts may act prosecution pending state courts time federal proceeding begun course express views propriety declaratory relief state proceeding pending time federal suit begun reservations anticipated recognition relevant principles equity comity federalism little force absence pending state proceeding lake carriers assn macmullan state criminal proceeding pending time federal complaint filed federal intervention result duplicative legal proceedings disruption state criminal justice system federal intervention circumstance interpreted reflecting negatively upon state ability enforce constitutional principles addition pending state prosecution provides federal plaintiff concrete opportunity vindicate constitutional rights refusal part federal courts intervene state proceeding pending may place hapless plaintiff scylla intentionally flouting state law charybdis forgoing believes constitutionally protected activity order avoid becoming enmeshed criminal proceeding cf dombrowski pfister state proceeding pending thus considerations equity comity federalism little vitality propriety granting federal declaratory relief may properly considered independently request injunctive relief appeals held injunctive relief appropriate since petitioner failed demonstrate irreparable injury traditional prerequisite injunctive relief dombrowski pfister supra followed declaratory relief also inappropriate even appeals correctly viewed injunctive relief inappropriate question need reach today since petitioner abandoned request remedy see supra erred treating requests injunctive declaratory relief single issue hen state prosecution pending question whether declaratory relief appropriate congressional scheme makes federal courts primary guardians constitutional rights express congressional authorization declaratory relief afforded less harsh abrasive remedy injunction become factors primary significance perez ledesma separate opinion brennan subject matter jurisdiction lower federal courts greatly expanded wake civil war pervasive sense nationalism led enactment civil rights act stat empowering lower federal courts determine constitutionality actions taken persons color state law allegedly depriving individuals rights guaranteed constitution federal law see four years later judiciary act march stat congress conferred upon lower federal courts second time nearly history general jurisdiction subject requirement see latter enactment lower federal courts ceased restricted tribunals fair dealing citizens different became primary powerful reliances vindicating every right given constitution laws treaties frankfurter landis business emphasis added two statutes together decision ex parte young holding state officials threaten enforce unconstitutional state statute may enjoined federal equity federal may appropriate circumstances enjoin future state criminal prosecutions unconstitutional act established modern framework federal protection constitutional rights state interference perez ledesma supra separate opinion brennan storm controversy raged wake ex parte young focusing principally power single federal judge grant ex parte interlocutory injunctions enforcement state statutes hart wechsler federal courts federal system ed see generally goldstein cox hutcheson case three judges harv rev uproar partially quelled congress passage legislation stat requiring convening district preliminary injunction enforcement state statute issue providing direct appeal decision granting denying relief see state viewpoint granting injunctive relief even courts special dignity rather clumsily crippled state enforcement statutes pending review see furthermore plaintiffs dissatisfied method testing constitutionality state statutes since placed upon burden demonstrating traditional prerequisites equitable relief importantly irreparable injury see fenner boykin dispel difficulties congress enacted declaratory judgment act congress plainly intended declaratory relief act alternative strong medicine injunction utilized test constitutionality state criminal statutes cases injunctive relief unavailable amply evidenced legislative history act traced full detail perez ledesma supra separate opinion brennan highlights history particularly pertinent inquiry today emphasize without expanding reducing subject matter jurisdiction federal courts way diminishing continuing vitality ex parte young respect federal injunctions congress empowered federal courts grant new remedy declaratory judgment express purpose federal declaratory judgment act provide milder alternative injunction remedy particular significance question us senate report sess makes even clearer declaratory judgment designed available test state criminal statutes circumstances injunction appropriate much hostility federal injunctions referred senate report hostility use state officials seeking enforce state regulatory statutes carrying criminal sanctions strong feeling produced act johnson act tax injunction act federal declaratory judgment act intended provide alternative injunctions state officials except federal policy federal adjudication class litigation altogether moreover senate report clear implication declaratory relief appropriate pierce society sisters village euclid ambler realty cases involving federal adjudication constitutionality state statute carrying criminal penalties report quotation terrace thompson also involved anticipatory federal adjudication constitutionality state criminal statute make plain congress anticipated declaratory judgment procedure used federal courts test constitutionality state criminal statutes recognized different considerations enter federal decision declaratory relief one hand injunctive relief zwickler koota dombrowski pfister roe wade supra emphasis added different considerations entering decision whether grant declaratory relief origins preceding historical summary first congress recognized declaratory judgment less intrusive effect administration state criminal laws observed perez ledesma separate opinion brennan course favorable declaratory judgment may nevertheless valuable plaintiff though make even unconstitutional statute disappear state statute may declared unconstitutional toto incapable constitutional applications may declared unconstitutionally vague overbroad incapable constitutionally applied full extent purport either case federal declaration unconstitutionality reflects opinion federal statute fully enforced declaration total unconstitutionality affirmed follows stands ready reverse conviction statute declaration partial unconstitutionality affirmed implication overturn particular applications statute statute narrowly construed state courts incapable constitutional applications accordingly declaration necessarily bar prosecutions statute broad injunction thus highest state opportunity give statute regulating expression narrowing clarifying construction failed later federal declares statute unconstitutionally vague overbroad may well open state prosecutor federal decision bring prosecution statute reasonably believes defendant conduct constitutionally protected state courts may give statute construction yield constitutionally valid conviction even declaration unconstitutionality reviewed declaration may still able cut deterrent effect unconstitutional state statute persuasive force opinion judgment may lead state prosecutors courts legislators reconsider respective responsibilities toward statute enforcement policies judicial construction may changed legislature may repeal statute start anew finally federal judgment may res judicata effect though point free difficulty governing rules remain developed view proper workings federal system clear however even though declaratory judgment force effect final judgment much milder form relief injunction though may persuasive ultimately coercive noncompliance may inappropriate contempt omitted law plaintiff obtain declaratory judgment local ordinance unconstitutional state prosecution pending unless allege prove circumstances justifying federal injunction existing state prosecution federal declaratory judgment act pro tanto repealed wulp corcoran coffin occasions disregarded different considerations found preclusion injunctive relief inevitably led denial declaratory relief cases principles federalism militated altogether federal intervention class adjudications see great lakes huffman federal policy interfering enforcement state tax laws samuels mackell instant case principles federalism preclude federal intervention compel requiring federal courts totally step aside state criminal prosecution pending federal plaintiff turn federalism head federal claims premised required exhaustion state judicial administrative remedies recognizing paramount role congress assigned federal courts protect constitutional rights see mcneese board education monroe pape exhaustion state remedies precisely required federal injunctive declaratory relief unavailable case state prosecution commenced iii respondents however relying principally upon decision cameron johnson argue although may appropriate issue declaratory judgment state criminal proceeding pending attack upon facial validity state criminal statute step improper attack merely upon constitutionality statute applied since state interest unencumbered enforcement laws outweighs minimal federal interest protecting constitutional rights single individual reject argument cameron johnson appellants sought declaratory judgment mississippi law overly broad vague regulation protected expression injunction restraining pending prosecutions violations statute agreed district statute overly broad vague nothing record supported appellants assertion prosecuted bad faith circumstance held mere possibility erroneous application statute amount irreparable injury necessary justify disruption orderly state proceedings issue guilt innocence state criminal trial state required prove appellants guilty federal proceeding escape finding state expectation securing valid convictions holding cameron thus state courts prosecutions already pending given first opportunity correct misapplication state criminal laws cameron plainly authority proposition absence pending state proceeding federal plaintiff may seek declaratory judgment state statute applied violation constitutional rights indeed state concern potential interference administration criminal laws lesser dimension attack made upon constitutionality state statute applied declaratory judgment lower federal state statute invalid toto therefore incapable valid application overbroad vague therefore person properly convicted statute given narrowing clarifying construction see photographs gooding wilson likely significant potential disruption state enforcement policies declaration specifying limited number impermissible applications statute federal interest may greater state statute attacked face since exists potential eliminating deterrent effect actors see dombrowski pfister find consideration controlling solitary individual suffers deprivation constitutional rights less deserving redress one suffers together others therefore hold regardless whether injunctive relief may appropriate federal declaratory relief precluded state prosecution pending federal plaintiff demonstrates genuine threat enforcement disputed state criminal statute whether attack made constitutionality statute face applied judgment appeals reversed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered footnotes person commits criminal trespass intentionally damages property another without consent damage thereto less knowingly maliciously interferes possession use property another person without consent person commits criminal trespass knowingly without authority enters upon land premises another person part vehicle railroad car aircraft watercraft another person unlawful purpose enters upon land premises another person part vehicle railroad car aircraft watercraft another person receiving prior entry notice owner rightful occupant entry forbidden remains upon land premises another person within vehicle railroad car aircraft watercraft another person receiving notice owner rightful occupant depart person convicted criminal trespass shall punished misdemeanor hearing district petitioner testified another occasion prior june also threatened arrest handbilling shopping center time police shown statute intended enforce presumably advised oral argument trial petitioner companion sandra lee becker stayed pending decision case see tr oral arg district hearing counsel police officers indicated arrests fact made warrants sworn shopping center personnel facially proper complaint initially styled class action named plaintiffs petitioner minor suing father sandra lee becker petitioner handbilling companion prosecution pending georgia statute see supra also minor suing father atlanta mobilization committee complaint also sought enjoin plaintiff becker pending prosecution petitioner appealed district decision denying relief petitioner notice appeal challenged denial injunctive declaratory relief however appellate brief abandoned appeal denial injunctive relief becker thompson since complaint originally sought enjoin enforcement state statute grounds unconstitutionality district convened see goosby osser idlewild bon voyage liquor epstein required even constitutional attack upon statute applied see department employment query ex parte bransford see generally currie district constitutional litigation chi rev normally required even decision dismiss principles since exercise discretion usually necessary see jones wade abele markle see generally note district scope procedure section harv rev since petitioner request injunctive relief abandoned appeal see supra request declaratory relief remained appeals err exercising jurisdiction appeal cf roe wade mitchell donovan kennedy stratton louis federal courts entertained applications injunctive declaratory relief absence pending state prosecution see thoms heffernan supp wulp corcoran crossen breckenridge lewis kugler anderson vaughn supp even appeals fifth circuit limited scope instant decision entertaining action declaratory injunctive relief absence state prosecution federal suit attacked facial validity state statute rather validity statute applied see jones wade supra wisdom section provides case actual controversy within jurisdiction except respect federal taxes upon filing appropriate pleading may declare rights legal relations interested party seeking declaration whether relief sought declaration shall force effect final judgment decree shall reviewable necessary proper relief based declaratory judgment decree may granted reasonable notice hearing adverse party whose rights determined judgment rule federal cases actual controversy must extant stages review merely time complaint filed see roe wade sec medical comm human rights munsingwear noted declaratory judgment might serve basis issuance later injunction give effect declaratory judgment see supra declaratory judgment might res judicata effect pending state proceeding note cases injunctive relief sought restrain imminent yet pending prosecution past conduct sufficient injury found warrant injunctive relief see beal missouri pacific spielman motor sales dodge fenner boykin question however whether showing irreparable injury might made case although prosecution pending impending individual demonstrates required forgo constitutionally protected activity order avoid arrest compare dombrowski pfister hygrade provision sherman terrace thompson douglas city jeannette see generally note implications younger cases availability federal equitable relief state prosecution pending rev sensitiveness rights fear rivalry state courts respect state sentiment swept aside great impulse national feeling born civil war nationalism triumphant national administration sought vindication new exertions federal power longer trusted enforcement state agencies frankfurter landis business last days john adams administration general jurisdiction granted federal courts midnight judges act stat act repealed one year later act mar stat histories civil rights act judiciary act detailed zwickler koota procedure expedited review modeled expediting act stat requiring certain antitrust cases certified attorney general particular public importance convened direct appeal well act stat applying procedure suits brought restrain annul set aside orders interstate commerce commission see hutcheson case three judges harv rev provision amended apply also interlocutory injunctions restraining enforcement state administrative commission orders stat amended extend requirement provisions final hearing permanent injunction thereby ending anomalous situation single judge final hearing overrule decision three judges granting interlocutory injunction stat statute codified made applicable actions seeking either preliminary permanent injunction goldstein cox see generally hart wechsler federal courts federal system ed wright federal courts pp ed professor borchard principal proponent author federal declaratory judgment act said written statement introduced hearings act often happens courts unwilling grant injunctions restrain enforcement penal statutes ordinances relegate plaintiff option either violate statute take chances testing constitutionality criminal prosecution else forgo fear prosecution exercise claimed rights dilemma civilized legal system operating constitution force person effect refusing injunction informs prospective victim way determine whether suspect mushroom toadstool eat assuming plaintiff vital interest enforcement challenged statute ordinance reason declaratory judgment issued instead compelling violation statute condition precedent challenging constitutionality hearings subcommittee senate committee judiciary see borchard declaratory judgments ed pending prosecution petitioner handbilling companion affect petitioner action declaratory relief roe wade pending prosecution hallford texas abortion law found render action declaratory injunctive relief impermissible prevent granting plaintiff roe action pending declaratory judgment statute unconstitutional see lewis kugler great lakes huffman employers sought declaration state unemployment compensation scheme imposing tax upon unconstitutional applied although relying precise terms ed ousts district courts jurisdiction enjoin suspend restrain assessment levy collection tax state law plain speedy efficient remedy may courts state recognizing unique effects anticipatory adjudication tax administration held declaratory relief withheld taxpayer provided opportunity maintain refund suit payment disputed tax contrast statutory counterpart applicable intervention state criminal prosecutions perez ledesma separate opinion brennan abstention question entirely separate question granting declaratory injunctive relief lake carriers assn macmullan might appropriate challenge made state statute applied rather upon face since reach uncertain state statute might circumstance susceptible limiting clarifying construction avoid federal constitutional question cf zwickler koota baggett bullitt two years petitioner attempted handbill shopping center respondent hudgens owner center commenced action superior fulton county seeking declaration rights concerning center rules handbilling related activities advised oral argument state action dismissed trial appeal pending georgia since require petitioner first seek vindication federal rights state declaratory judgment action see lake carriers assn macmullan supra wisconsin constantineau consideration abstention district inappropriate unless action commenced respondent hudgens shown present substantial immediate possibility obviating petitioner federal claim decision state law grounds cf askew hargrave reetz bozanich justice stewart chief justice joins concurring joining opinion add word way emphasis decision today must understood authorizing invocation federal declaratory judgment jurisdiction person thinks state criminal law unconstitutional even genuinely feels chilled freedom action law existence even honestly entertains subjective belief may future prosecuted stated younger harris power duty judiciary declare laws unconstitutional final analysis derived responsibility resolving concrete disputes brought courts decision petitioner case succeeded objectively showing threat imminent arrest corroborated actual arrest companion created actual concrete controversy agents state therefore demonstrated genuine threat enforcement disputed state criminal statute cases genuine threat demonstrated think exceedingly rare see ante whether view recent developments controversy continuing one district determine remand see ante justice white concurring offer following words light justice rehnquist concurrence discusses impact pending federal action later filed criminal prosecution federal plaintiff whether federal may enjoin state criminal prosecution statute federal earlier declared unconstitutional suit defendant prosecuted question whether declaratory judgment res judicata later filed state criminal action noted first views issues neither expressly impliedly embraced opinion filed today second tentative views questions somewhat contrary brother writing least anticipate final declaratory judgment entered federal holding particular conduct federal plaintiff immune federal constitutional grounds prosecution state law accorded res judicata effect later prosecution conduct also think additional circumstances federal judgment considered mere precedent bearing issue state neither stage agree federal rendered declaratory judgment favor plaintiff enjoin later state prosecution conduct federal declared immune declaratory judgment act provides declaration shall force effect final judgment decree eminent authority anticipated declaratory judgments res judicata borchard declaratory judgments ed every reason reducing declaratory judgments mere advisory opinions toucey new york life insurance expressed view forbade injunctions relitigation state courts federally decided issues section amended overrule case consequence clear toucey rule gone protect effectuate judgment federal may enjoin relitigation state wright federal courts ed see reason hold federal plaintiff must always rely solely plea res judicata state courts statute provides urther necessary proper relief adverse party whose rights determined judgment seem improper enjoin local prosecutors refuse observe adverse federal judgments finally think federal suit challenging state criminal statute federal constitutional grounds sufficiently far along ordinary consideration economy warrant refusal dismiss federal case solely state prosecution subsequently filed federal question may litigated justice rehnquist chief justice joins concurring concur opinion although reading legislative history declaratory judgment act suggests primary purpose enable persons obtain definition rights actual injury occurred rather palliate controversy arising ex parte young congress apparently aware time passed act persons threatened state criminal prosecutions might choose forgo offending conduct instead seek federal declaration rights use declaratory judgment procedure circumstances presented case seems consistent congressional expectation case first opportunity deal area law content let matter rest cases abundantly illustrate area law constant litigation area decisions traced path may accurately described sinuous attempting accommodate principles new declaratory judgment procedure established principles particular proper regard relationship independent state federal judiciary systems acted advance limit act compare aetna life ins haworth zwickler koota great lakes huffman samuels mackell opinion today may possibly read resourceful counsel commencing new less restrictive curve path adjudication feel important emphasize opinion say begin seems appropriate restate obvious decision today deals declaratory relief threatened prosecutions case provides authority granting injunctive relief provide authority granting relief prosecutions pending quite properly leaves another day whether granting declaratory judgment federal subsequent res judicata effect perhaps support issuance later federal injunction since possible resolutions issues substantially undercut principles federalism reaffirmed younger harris preserved decision today feel appropriate add remarks first legislative history declaratory judgment act opinion case recognize declaratory judgment procedure alternative pursuit arguably illegal activity nothing act history suggest congress intended provide persons wishing violate state laws federal shield behind carry contemplated conduct thus believe federal plaintiff declaratory judgment action avoid mere filing complaint principles firmly expressed samuels supra plaintiff continues violate state statute filing federal complaint risk state prosecution risk dismissal federal lawsuit arrest prior resolution federal action constitute pending prosecution bar declaratory relief principles samuels second believe today decision properly raised support issuance federal injunction based upon favorable declaratory judgment description declaratory relief milder alternative injunction remedy ante less intrusive effect administration state criminal laws injunction ante indicates critical distinctions make declaratory relief appropriate injunctive relief totally obscure important distinctions successful application declaratory relief came regarded conclusion lawsuit giant step toward obtaining injunction subsequent criminal prosecution availability injunctive relief must considered eye toward important policies federalism often recognized rationale cases younger samuels turned way upon relative case federal district reach conclusion constitutionality challenged state statute judgment declaring statute unconstitutional applied particular plaintiff course factor favoring issuance injunction relief declaratory judgment act except statutes flagrantly patently violative express constitutional prohibitions every clause sentence paragraph younger harris supra rationale cases basis direction federal courts interfere state prosecutions vary depending closeness constitutional issue degree confidence federal possesses correctness conclusions constitutional point decisions instead depend upon considerations relevant harmonious operation separate federal state systems special regard state interest enforcing criminal laws considerations relevant guiding action federal previously issued declaratory judgment guiding action one result may injunctive relief available relief declaratory judgment act particular class cases whereas similar cases involving considerations federalism pro tanto repeal provision declaratory judgment act younger pro tanto repeal writs act declaratory judgment simply statement rights binding order supplemented continuing sanctions state authorities may choose guided judgment lower federal compelled follow decision threat contempt penalties federal plaintiff pursues conduct previously threatened arrest fact arrested may return controversy federal although may course raise federal declaratory judgment state whatever value may prove event defendant point able present case full consideration state charged federal courts preserve defendant constitutional rights federal interference process involve precisely concerns discussed younger recited opinion case third attempts circumvent younger claiming enforcement statute declared unconstitutional federal per se evidence bad faith find support decision case notes quoting brother brennan separate opinion perez ledesma persuasive force federal opinion judgment may lead state prosecutors courts legislators reconsider respective responsibilities toward statute enforcement policies judicial construction may changed legislature may repeal statute start anew emphasis added declaratory judgment remains think declaratory judgment act intended simple declaration rights without used merely dramatic tactical maneuver part state defendant seeking extended delays force state officials try cases time time first federal courts state courts believe congress desired unnecessary results think today decision read sanction rather act decision stand sensible proposition potential state defendant threatened prosecution charged state confronted possible violation criminal laws may benefit procedure provides declaration rights without activation criminal process federal finds threatened prosecution depend upon statute judges unconstitutional state may decide forgo prosecution similar conduct future believing judgment persuasive state prosecutors find decision persuasive enough justify forbearance successful federal plaintiff least able bolster allegations unconstitutionality state trial decision federal district immediate locality state courts may find reasoning convincing even though prosecutors finally course state legislature may decide basis federal decision statute better amended repealed possible avenues relief reached voluntarily completely consistent concepts federalism discussed intrusive forms relief routinely available considerations prove highly significant reaching future decisions based upon decision rendered today present enough say petitioner successfully establishes existence continuing controversy remand may maintain action declaratory judgment district report accompanying senate version bill stated procedure especially useful avoiding necessity often present act one peril act one interpretation rights abandon one rights fear incurring damages often necessary absence declaratory judgment procedure violate purport violate statute order obtain judicial determination meaning validity persons often act peril danger frequently avoided ability sue declaratory judgment rights duties samuels mackell expressed concern declaratory judgment issued state prosecution pending might serve basis subsequent injunction proceedings recognized chain litigation result clearly improper interference state proceedings ibid discussed infra believe improper interference present even though declaratory judgment issued prior time federal plaintiff arrest opinion notes possible res judicata effect federal declaratory judgment subsequent state prosecution question free difficulty ante express opinion issue however note federal decision accorded stare decisis effect state subsequent proceeding within federal jurisdiction although state compelled follow federal holding opinion might course viewed highly persuasive opinion says sensitive principles equity comity federalism recognized younger harris federal courts ordinarily refrain enjoining ongoing state criminal prosecutions cognizant pending state proceeding unusual cases provide federal plaintiff necessary vehicle vindicating constitutional rights circumstance restraining ongoing prosecution entail unseemly failure give effect principle state courts solemn responsibility equally federal courts guard enforce protect every right granted secured constitution robb connolly ante