The appellants in this case appeal from the dismissal of their 28 U.S.C. § 2241 petitions. A certificate of appealability (“COA”) is required to appeal “the final order in a habeas corpus proceeding in which the detention complained of arises out of process issued by a State court.” 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(1)(A). Because the appellants are seeking release from the pending state criminal proceedings against them, a COA is required before they can proceed on appeal. Stringer v. Williams, 161 F.3d 259, 261-262 (5th Cir. 1998).

The district court must make the initial determination whether a COA should issue. Muniz v. Johnson, 114 F.3d 43, 45 (5th Cir. 1997). Accordingly, the case is REMANDED to the district court for the limited purpose of the district court’s issuance of a COA ruling. Once the district court has issued its ruling, this court will consider the case.