Supreme Court of the United States
Harris County Commissioners Court v. Moore
February 18, 1975420 U.S. 77
Summary
The Supreme Court reversed the three‑judge district court and remanded with instructions to dismiss the equal‑protection claim without prejudice, holding that the federal court must abstain because the case hinges on unsettled Texas state‑law questions. The Court noted that the Pullman abstention doctrine applies when a federal claim depends on ambiguous state law, and that dismissal avoids foreclosing state‑court remedies.
Holding
- Whether the federal courts should abstain from adjudicating the equal‑protection claim because the claim depends on unsettled Texas state‑law questions regarding Art. 2351(c).. The Supreme Court held that the district court should have abstained; it reversed and remanded with instructions to dismiss the complaint without prejudice.
Docket 73-1475
Cited authorities
- 122 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1071
- 28 U.S.C. § 1253
- 28 U.S.C. § 2281
- 28 U.S.C. § 2281