What is an order to show cause?

An order to show cause is a legal document issued by a court in Florida in civil and criminal matters. It orders a party to appear before a judge and demonstrate why a particular measure should or should not be taken. This measure could be an injunction, a suspension, contempt of court, or another type of action. In civil court, an order to show cause is usually used to compel a party to comply with an order or an agreement. For example, if a tenant fails to comply with the terms of their lease, a landlord might request an order to show cause from the court, which would then order the tenant to appear and explain why they haven’t complied. In criminal court, an order to show cause may be issued for a variety of reasons, such as when a defendant fails to appear for a hearing. It requires the defendant to appear before the court and demonstrate why they should not be held in contempt of court for their failure to appear. Failure to appear in response to an order to show cause can result in a warrant for their arrest. It is important to note that an order to show cause is not a trial or a hearing, and a party does not need to have a lawyer present. However, they should have a good understanding of the underlying issues and be prepared to explain their position.

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What is an order to show cause?

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