United States Ninth Circuit

The doctrine of Younger abstention applies when a parallel state-court proceeding has formally begun, even if the proceedings have not yet reached the merits of the claim.

Appellate Information

• Argued 05/05/2005
• Decided 08/17/2005
• Published 08/17/2005

Judges

• O'SCANNLAIN, Circuit Judge., Before O'SCANNLAIN and RAWLINSON, Circuit Judges, and WHALEY, District Judge.

Court

• United States Ninth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Bruce Tepper, Los Angeles, CA, argued the cause for the appellant;  Fernando Villa and Amy B. Alderfer, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Santa Monica, CA, were on the brief.


• For Appellees:
  
• JoAnn Victor, Jackson & Assoc., Los Angeles, CA, argued the cause for the appellees;  David S. Cunningham III, Jackson & Assoc., and Mary K. Dennis, Office of the City Attorney of Los Angeles, CA, were on the brief.