Opinion ID: 6982219
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Decision to Issue the Injunction

Text: Federal courts are empowered by the All Writs Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1651, to enjoin state court proceedings that interfere with federal judgments. See Keith v. Volpe, 118 F.3d 1386, 1390 (9th Cir.1997). As discussed above, the district court had exclusive jurisdiction over appeals from decisions of the State Engineer regarding water rights adjudicated under the Alpine and Orr Ditch Decrees; its decision to issue the injunction fits within the “necessary in aid of’ exception to the Anti-Injunction Act. In light of the foregoing, there are no grounds to conclude that the district court abused its discretion in enjoining the state court proceeding. “Although comity requires federal courts to exercise extreme caution in interfering with state litigation, federal courts have the power to do so when them jurisdiction is threatened.” Hanlon v. Chrysler Corp., 150 F.3d 1011, 1025 (9th Cir.1998). Moreover, Nevada has expressly provided that where a court decree governs water rights, a review of the State Engineer’s decisions “shall be initiated in the court that entered the decree.” Nev.Rev.Stat. § 533.450(1).