younger harris argued april decided february appellee harris indicted violating california criminal syndicalism act sued federal district enjoin appellant county district attorney prosecuting contending act unconstitutional face inhibits exercising rights appellees dan hirsch claiming prosecution harris inhibit peacefully advocating program political party belonged appellee broslawsky college professor claiming prosecution made uncertain whether teaching reading practices subject prosecution intervened plaintiffs asserted suffer irreparable injury unless federal injunction issued relying dombrowski pfister held act void vagueness overbreadth enjoined harris prosecution held basis equitable jurisdiction based allegations appellees harris indicted arrested threatened prosecution normal course state criminal prosecution blocked basis fears prosecution merely speculative pp federal courts enjoin pending state criminal prosecutions except extraordinary circumstances danger irreparable loss great immediate unlike situation affecting harris threat plaintiff federally protected rights eliminated defense single prosecution decision dombrowski supra involved alleged harassment factually distinguishable case substantially broaden availability injunctions state criminal prosecutions pp black delivered opinion burger harlan stewart blackmun joined stewart filed concurring opinion harlan joined post brennan filed opinion concurring result white marshall joined post douglas filed dissenting opinion post clifford thompson deputy attorney general california argued cause appellant second reargument albert harris assistant attorney general argued cause appellant original argument first reargument briefs thomas lynch attorney general evelle younger pro se wirin argued cause appellees rearguments briefs fred okrand frank pestana sam rosenwein argued cause appellees original argument brief pestana justice black delivered opinion appellee john harris indicted california state charged violation california penal code known california criminal syndicalism act set filed complaint federal district asking enjoin appellant younger district attorney los angeles county prosecuting alleging prosecution even presence act inhibited exercise rights free speech press rights guaranteed first fourteenth amendments appellees jim dan diane hirsch intervened plaintiffs suit claiming prosecution harris inhibit members progressive labor party peacefully advocating program party replace capitalism socialism abolish profit system production country appellee farrell broslawsky instructor history los angeles valley college also intervened claiming prosecution harris made uncertain whether teach doctrines karl marx read communist manifesto part classwork claimed unless restrained state prosecution harris suffer immediate irreparable injury federal district convened pursuant held jurisdiction power restrain district attorney prosecuting held state criminal syndicalism act void vagueness overbreadth violation first fourteenth amendments accordingly restrained district attorney prosecution currently pending action plaintiff harris alleged violation act supp case us appeal state district attorney younger pursuant notice appeal jurisdictional statement appellant presented two questions whether decision whitney california holding california law constitutional binding district whether state law constitutional face brief state california filed request also argues harris indicted standing challenge state law issuance injunction violation longstanding judicial policy provides may grant injunction stay proceedings state except expressly authorized act congress necessary aid jurisdiction protect effectuate judgments appellee harris indicted actually prosecuted california violation criminal syndicalism act time suit filed thus acute live controversy state prosecutor none parties plaintiff district dan hirsch broslawsky controversy none indicted arrested even threatened prosecutor three said plaintiffs dan hirsch allege members progressive labor party advocates change industrial ownership political change feel inhibited advocating program political party peaceful means presence act books pending criminal prosecution harris plaintiff broslawsky history instructor alleges uncertain whether normal practice teaching students doctrines karl marx reading communist manifesto revolutionary works may subject prosecution violation act ii since beginning country history congress subject exceptions manifested desire permit state courts try state cases free interference federal courts act unconditionally provided shall writ injunction granted stay proceedings state stat comparison act successor graphically illustrates minor exceptions granted flat prohibitory language old act lapse years statutory exceptions congressional enactment three except expressly authorized act congress necessary aid jurisdiction protect effectuate judgments addition judicial exception longstanding policy evidenced statute made person prosecuted state show proceeding state enjoined suffer irreparable damages see ex parte young precise reasons longstanding public policy federal interference state proceedings never specifically identified primary sources policy plain one basic doctrine equity jurisprudence courts equity act particularly act restrain criminal prosecution moving party adequate remedy law suffer irreparable injury denied equitable relief doctrine may originally grown circumstances peculiar english judicial system applicable country fundamental purpose restraining equity jurisdiction within narrow limits equally important constitution order prevent erosion role jury avoid duplication legal proceedings legal sanctions single suit adequate protect rights asserted underlying reason restraining courts equity interfering criminal prosecutions reinforced even vital consideration notion comity proper respect state functions recognition fact entire country made union separate state governments continuance belief national government fare best institutions left free perform separate functions separate ways perhaps lack better clearer way describe referred many federalism one familiar profound debates ushered federal constitution existence bound respect remain loyal ideals dreams federalism 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 never forgotten slogan federalism born early struggling days union occupies highly important place nation history future brief discussion enough suggest reasons perfectly natural cases repeat time time normal thing federal courts asked enjoin pending proceedings state courts issue injunctions fenner boykin suit brought federal district seeking enjoin state prosecutions recently enacted state law allegedly interfered free flow interstate commerce unanimous opinion made clear suit even respect state criminal proceedings yet formally instituted proper special circumstances ex parte young following cases established doctrine absolutely necessary protection constitutional rights courts power enjoin state officers instituting criminal actions may done except extraordinary circumstances danger irreparable loss great immediate ordinarily interference officers primarily charged duty prosecuting offenders laws state must decide done accused first set rely upon defense state courts even though involves challenge validity statute unless plainly appears course afford adequate protection cases stressed importance showing irreparable injury traditional prerequisite obtaining injunction addition however also made clear view fundamental policy federal interference state criminal prosecutions even irreparable injury insufficient unless great immediate fenner supra certain types injury particular cost anxiety inconvenience defend single criminal prosecution considered irreparable special legal sense term instead threat plaintiff federally protected rights must one eliminated defense single criminal prosecution see ex parte young supra thus buck case supra stressed federal injunctions state criminal statutes either entirety respect separate distinct prohibitions granted matter course even statutes unconstitutional citizen member community immune prosecution good faith alleged criminal acts imminence prosecution even though alleged unauthorized hence unlawful alone ground relief equity exerts extraordinary powers prevent irreparable injury plaintiff seeks aid beal missouri pacific railroad appear record petitioners threatened injury incidental every criminal proceeding brought lawfully good faith threats enforce statutes appellants made expectation securing valid convictions rather part plan employ arrests seizures threats prosecution color statutes harass appellants discourage supporters asserting attempting vindicate constitutional rights negro citizens louisiana allegations complaint depict situation defense state criminal prosecution assure adequate vindication constitutional rights suggest substantial loss impairment freedoms expression occur appellants must await state disposition ultimate review adverse determination allegations true clearly show irreparable injury background principles must judge propriety injunction circumstances present case proceeding already pending state affording harris opportunity raise constitutional claims suggestion single prosecution harris brought bad faith one series repeated prosecutions subjected words injury harris faces solely incidental every criminal proceeding brought lawfully good faith douglas supra therefore settled doctrine already described entitled equitable relief even statutes unconstitutional buck supra district however thought dombrowski decision substantially broadened availability injunctions state criminal prosecutions decision federal courts may give equitable relief without regard showing bad faith harassment whenever state statute found face vague overly broad violation first amendment recognize statements dombrowski opinion seem support argument already seen statements unnecessary decision case found plaintiffs alleged basis equitable relief standards addition regard reasons adduced support position sufficient justify substantial departure established doctrines regarding availability injunctive relief undoubtedly true stated dombrowski criminal prosecution statute regulating expression usually involves imponderables contingencies may inhibit full exercise first amendment freedoms sort chilling effect called justify federal intervention first place chilling effect satisfactorily eliminated federal injunctive relief dombrowski stated injunction issued lifted state obtained acceptable limiting construction state courts made clear done prosecutions brought conduct occurring narrowing construction made proper convictions stand long defendants deprived fair warning kind relief granted dombrowski thus effectively eliminate uncertainty coverage state statute leaves citizens virtually doubts regarding danger conduct might eventually subjected criminal sanctions chilling effect course eliminated injunction prohibit prosecution whatever conduct occurring prior satisfactory rewriting statute stripped power prosecute even socially dangerous constitutionally unprotected conduct covered statute new statute passed state legislature approved federal courts potentially lengthy trial appellate proceedings thus dombrowski carefully reaffirmed principle even direct prosecution state courts valid narrowing construction applied conduct occurring prior date narrowing construction made absence fair warning problems moreover existence chilling effect even area first amendment rights never considered sufficient basis prohibiting state action statute directly abridge free speech regulating subject within state power tends incidental effect inhibiting first amendment rights well settled statute upheld effect speech minor relation need control conduct lack alternative means schneider state cantwell connecticut mine workers illinois bar incidental chilling effect statutes automatically render unconstitutional chilling effect admittedly result existence certain laws statute books justify prohibiting state carrying important necessary task enforcing laws socially harmful conduct state believes good faith punishable laws constitution beyond another basic consideration procedures testing constitutionality statute face manner apparently contemplated dombrowski enjoining action enforce statute state obtain approval modified version fundamentally odds function federal courts constitutional plan power duty judiciary declare laws unconstitutional final analysis derived responsibility resolving concrete disputes brought courts decision statute apparently governing dispute applied judges consistently obligations supremacy clause application statute conflict constitution marbury madison cranch vital responsibility broad amount unlimited power survey statute books pass judgment laws courts called upon enforce ever since constitutional convention rejected proposal members render advice concerning pending legislation clear even suits kind involve case controversy sufficient satisfy requirements article iii constitution task analyzing proposed statute pinpointing deficiencies requiring correction deficiencies statute put effect rarely ever appropriate task judiciary combination relative remoteness controversy impact legislative process relief sought speculative amorphous nature required analysis detailed statutes see landry daley supp nd rev sub nom boyle landry post ordinarily results kind case wholly unsatisfactory deciding constitutional questions whichever way might decided light fundamental conception framers proper place federal courts governmental processes passing enforcing laws seldom appropriate courts exercise power prior approval veto legislative process reasons fundamental federal system also basic functions judicial branch national government constitution hold dombrowski decision regarded upset settled doctrines always confined narrowly availability injunctive relief state criminal prosecutions think opinion stands proposition federal properly enjoin enforcement statute solely basis showing statute face abridges first amendment rights 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 judgment district reversed case remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion reversed footnotes appellees explicitly ask declaratory judgment complaint however ask district grant relief may seem proper district fact granted declaratory judgment reasons stated opinion today samuels mackell post hold declaratory relief also improper prosecution involving challenged statute pending state time federal suit initiated interesting discussion history congressional policy see toucey new york life ins neither cases dealing standing raise claims vagueness overbreadth thornhill alabama loyalty oath cases baggett bullitt changed basic principles governing propriety injunctions state criminal prosecutions standing cases allowed attacks overly broad vague statutes absence showing defendant conduct regulated properly drawn statute cases statute merely vague overly broad face statute held vague overly broad construed applied particular defendant particular case statute vague written sufficiently narrow applied prosecutions convictions ordinarily permissible see dombrowski supra baggett similar cases enjoined state officials discharging employees failed take certain loyalty oaths held without power exact promises involved vague uncertain content concerning advocacy political association condition employment apart fact plaintiff discharged exercising constitutional right refuse take oath adequate remedy law relief sought course kind raises special problem injunction allegedly unconstitutional state action discharging employees part criminal prosecution see records federal convention farrand ed justice stewart justice harlan joins concurring questions decides today important ones perhaps important however recognition areas today holdings necessarily extend cases deals proper policy followed federal asked intervene injunction declaratory judgment criminal prosecution contemporaneously pending state basing decisions policy grounds reach questions concerning independent force federal statute thus decide whether word injunction interpreted include declaratory judgment whether injunction stay proceedings state expressly authorized civil rights act since cases involve state criminal prosecutions deal considerations govern federal asked intervene state civil proceedings various reasons balance might struck differently finally today resolve problems involved federal asked give injunctive declaratory relief future state criminal prosecutions confines deciding policy considerations federal system must prevail federal courts asked interfere pending state prosecutions within area hold federal must save exceptional extremely limited circumstances intervene way either injunction declaration existing state criminal prosecution circumstances exist threat irreparable injury great immediate threat nature might shown state criminal statute question patently flagrantly unconstitutional face ante cf evers dwyer bad faith harassment official lawlessness statute enforcement ante circumstances reasons policy deferring state adjudication outweighed injury flowing bringing state proceedings perversion process supposed provide vindication need speedy effective action protect federal rights cf georgia rachel opinion applies also samuels et al mackell et fernandez mackell et post dyson et al stein post byrne et al karalexis et post see also cameron johnson dombrowski pfister courts equity traditionally shown greater reluctance intervene criminal prosecutions civil cases see ante douglas city jeannette offense state interests likely less civil proceeding state decision classify conduct criminal provides indication importance ascribed prompt unencumbered enforcement law contrast state might even party proceeding civil statute cf law students civil rights research council wadmond post wisconsin constantineau rosado wyman considerations sure support distinction civil criminal proceedings ban makes distinction held unaffected negative pregnant sentence federal may matter policy intervene exceptional extremely limited circumstances found subject limitations may placed intervention justice brennan justice white justice marshall join concurring result agree judgment district reversed appellee harris indicted violations california criminal syndicalism act sued federal alleged prosecution brought bad faith harass constitutional contentions may adequately adjudicated state criminal proceeding federal intervention instance therefore improper appellees hirsch dan alleged feel inhibited statute prosecution harris advocating program progressive labor party appellee broslawsky alleged uncertain whether instructor college history statute give instruction relating communist manifesto similar revolutionary works none appellees stated ground reasonable expectation actually prosecuted statute taking actions contemplated expressly declined rely finding dan hirsch broslawsky stand danger prosecution state activities ascribed complaint supp true pointed prosecutors judicial safeguards neutralize vice vague law baggett bullitt still must live controversy art iii threats prosecution appellees alleged although dan hirsch alleged desire advocate doctrines progressive labor party asserted advocacy genre brought prosecution harris short reason think california ripe controversy see golden zwickler perez ledesma post brennan concurring dissenting district erroneously interpreted zwickler koota authorizing federal consideration constitutional claim issue pending state proceeding whether federal plaintiff presented claim state suffices note zwickler state proceeding pending time jurisdiction attached federal also thought significant appellee harris raised constitutional claim state courts motion dismiss indictment petitions state appellate courts writ prohibition questioned oral argument whether constitutional issues properly raised procedures invoked harris suggested denial harris motions necessarily involve rejection constitutional claims however even california courts interlocutory stage rejected harris constitutional arguments rejection provided justification intervening district harris sought direct review rejection constitutional claims renewed claims requests instructions direct review conviction state courts proper modes presentation proper forums consideration constitutional issues justice douglas dissenting fact period history enormous extrajudicial sanctions imposed assert first amendment rights unpopular causes emphasizes wisdom dombrowski pfister recognized times repression interests powerful spokesmen generate symbolic pogroms nonconformists federal judiciary charged congress special vigilance protection civil rights special responsibilities prevent erosion individual constitutional rights dombrowski represents exception general rule federal courts interfere state criminal prosecutions exception arise merely prosecutions threatened first amendment proffered defense dombrowski governs statutes blunderbuss used en masse overbroad sweep rule otherwise contours regulation hammered case case tested hardy enough risk criminal prosecution determine proper scope regulation context overbroad state statutes spoke chilling effect upon exercise first amendment rights caused state prosecutions ibid respects overbroad statutes said least early dealing first amendment rights insist statutes narrowly drawn prevent supposed evil cantwell connecticut special circumstances federal intervention state criminal proceeding permissible restricted bad faith part state officials threat multiple prosecutions also exist reason state statute enforced unconstitutional face justice butler writing said terrace thompson equity jurisdiction exercised enjoin threatened enforcement state law contravenes federal constitution wherever essential order effectually protect property rights rights persons injuries otherwise irremediable case person officer state clothed duty enforcing laws threatens commence proceedings either civil criminal enforce law parties affected may enjoined action federal equity younger criminal syndicalism defined broadly jeopardize teaching socialism preferable free enterprise harris crime distributing leaflets advocating change industrial ownership political action statute indicted one involved whitney california decision overruled brandenburg ohio advocacy harris used attempt persuasion use bullets bombs arson different case harris charged distributing leaflets advocating political action toward objective tried unsuccessfully state dismiss indictment constitutional grounds resorted state appellate writs prohibition prevent trial avail went federal matter last resort effort keep unconstitutional trial saddled statute bar federal injunction circumstances statute adopted stat reflected early view proper role federal courts within american federalism whatever balance pressures localism nationalism prior civil war fundamentally altered war civil war amendments made civil rights national concern amendments especially fourteenth amendment cemented change american federalism brought war congress immediately commenced use new powers pass legislation first judiciary act stat statute represented early views american federalism reconstruction statutes including enlargement federal jurisdiction represent later view american federalism one statutes passed reconstruction act april stat beyond jurisdictional provision statute codified provides every person color statute ordinance regulation custom usage state territory subjects causes subjected citizen person within jurisdiction thereof deprivation rights privileges immunities secured constitution laws shall liable party injured action law suit equity proper proceeding redress emphasis added hold view included expressly authorized exception point raised considered douglas city jeannette good reason allowing general statute dealing federalism passed end century control another statute also dealing federalism passed almost years later conclude early concepts federalism changed civil war view judge boyle case landry daley supp speaking civil war amendments constitutional revolution nature american federalism said revolution turn represents historical judgment emphasizes overwhelming concern reconstruction congresses protection newly rights freedmen interposing federal government inhabitants congresses sought avoid risk nullification rights subsequent passage act congress sought implement plan expanding federal judicial power section therefore expression importance protecting federal rights infringement also necessary desire place national government state citizens ibid makes criminal threats following threats dissentient groups engage disorderly conduct threats residents neighborhood carry concealed weapons protection threats mothers block dangerous state highway demonstrate need increased safety measures indeed phrase commit criminal offense broad include threats commit misdemeanors punishable fine evils substantial state interest prohibiting threat outweighs public interest giving legitimate political discussion wide berth landry daley supp dismisses case showing irreparable injury describes flimsy allegations post nothing contained allegations complaint one infer one citizens brought suit jeopardy suffering irreparable injury state left free prosecute intimidation statute normal manner ibid landry associates however allege appellants using intimidation section along several sections harass prosecute normal manner allege appellants arresting without warrants probable cause detaining excessive bail allege arrests made peaceful demonstrations without expectation securing valid convictions sum landry group allege intimidation section one several statutes appellants using en masse part plan harass discourage exercise first amendment rights thus lively existing case controversy concerning first amendment rights believe federal acted finest tradition issued stay standards certainty statutes containing criminal sanctions higher statutes containing civil sanctions standards certainty touching freedom expression higher areas winters new york must ascertainable standards guilt men common intelligence required guess meaning enactment vagueness may uncertainty regard persons within scope act regard applicable tests ascertain guilt freedom expression stake requirements must sedulously enforced younger prosecution unconstitutional statute relief denied boyle harassment yet prosecution allegations prosecution harassment facially unconstitutional statutes sufficient exercise federal equity powers dombrowski indicate boyle federal intervention enforcement state laws appropriate case younger even stronger state statute challenged prototype one held unconstitutional brandenburg ohio supra eternal temptation course arrest speaker rather correct conditions complains see reason appellees made walk treacherous ground statutes like citizens need umbrella first amendment study analyze discuss debate troubles days criminal prosecutions leveled express unpopular views society dialogue danger opinion also applies boyle judge et al landry et post see linde clear present danger reexamined dissonance brandenburg concerto stan rev may grant injunction stay proceedings state except expressly authorized act congress necessary aid jurisdiction protect effectuate judgments emphasis added initial form act provided shall writ injunction granted stay proceedings state exceptions subsequently modified insertion revisers read writ injunction shall granted stay proceedings state except cases injunction may authorized law relating proceedings bankruptcy rev stat toucey new york life ins discussing statutory exceptions act noted bankruptcy explicit exception others removal acts qualify pro tanto act act limiting shipowners liability eing subsequent statute act operates implied legislative amendment also added interpleader act act stat toucey limited line cases dealing nonstatutory exceptions act shortly thereafter current language written judicial code reviser note revised section restores basic law generally understood interpreted prior toucey decision decisions recognize implied legislative exceptions act see porter dicken leiter minerals added stat jurisdiction added stat already held requires exhaustion state remedies mcneese board education accord view honey goodman cooper hutchinson opposed goss illinois baines city danville see maraist federal injunctive relief state proceedings significance dombrowski tex rev et seq