dombrowski doctrine
Dombrowski doctrine. A short-lived rule that entitled a person to seek a federal-court injunction to prevent prosecution under a broad or vague state statute that affects rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. Dombrowski v. Pfister, 380 U.S. 479, 85 S.Ct. 1116 (1965). • The doctrine was greatly cut back six years after it was announced, when the Supreme Court ruled that a speculative First Amendment chilling effect does not justify federal-court intervention in state affairs. Younger v. Harris, 401 U.S. 37, 91 S.Ct. 746 (1971). [Cases: Courts 508. C.J.S. Courts §§ 216, 218–219.]
