Shipman v. Dupre, 339 U.S. 321 (1950)

Shipman v. DuPre

No. 689

Decided April 24, 1950
339 U.S. 321

APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Syllabus

In this case, a three-judge federal district court erred in ruling on the merits of a suit to restrain enforcement of a state statute on the ground of its invalidity under the Federal Constitution when it did not appear that the statute had been construed by the state courts; but the federal court should retain jurisdiction pending a reasonable time to afford an opportunity for complainants to obtain such a construction. Pp. 321-322.

88 F.Supp. 482, judgment vacated.

Appellants’ application for a declaratory judgment and injunction, on the ground of the alleged invalidity under the Federal Constitution of certain sections of South Carolina statutes regulating the fisheries and shrimping industry, was dismissed on the merits by a three-judge federal district court. 88 F.Supp. 482. On appeal to this Court, the judgment is vacated and the cause is remanded, p. 322.