General Atomic Co. v. Felter, 434 U.S. 12 (1977)

General Atomic Co. v. Felter


No. 76-1640


Decided October 31, 1977
434 U.S. 12

ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE
SUPREME COURT OF NEW MEXICO

Syllabus

A state court injunction restraining a party to a suit in that court from filing or prosecuting in federal court actions relating to the subject matter of the state court suit held directly to conflict with Donovan v. Dallas, 377 U.S. 408, and the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution. It is not within the power of state courts to bar litigants from filing or prosecuting in personam actions in the federal courts, regardless of whether jurisdiction has already attached in the federal suit or whether the federal litigation is prospective.

Certiorari granted; 90 N.M. 120, 560 P.2d 541, reversed and remanded.