Feldman(1983). Thibodaux abstention. A federal court's act of declining to exercise its jurisdiction to allow a state court to decide difficult issues if importance in order to avoid unnecessary friction between federal and state authorities. Louisiana Power & Light Co. v. City of Thibodaux(1959). Younger abstention. 1 A federal court's decision to halt or interfere with a state court's criminal proceeding unless the prosecution has been brought in bad faith or harassment. 2A federal court's ...