What is an order to show cause?

An order to show cause is a court order issued by a judge at the request of a party, requiring the other party to appear at a hearing to explain why a certain action (or inaction) should not take place. In other words, it is an order that requires an individual to come to a court hearing and explain why they should not be held responsible for or take certain actions. In Washington, an Order to Show Cause is a court order issued by the judge who heard the original case, or a higher court, that requires a party to appear and explain why the court should not take an action that was requested. This type of court order is commonly used when a court is considering issuing a temporary restraining order, or when one party is asking for an injunction or a temporary restraining order. In order for the court to issue an Order to Show Cause, the requesting party must demonstrate a valid legal claim or right and show that they are likely to prevail if the matter is heard in court. The judge will then consider the merits of the case and determine whether or not to issue the order. If an Order to Show Cause is issued, a hearing will be scheduled by the court and the party must attend, otherwise they will be held in contempt of court. During the hearing, the judge will hear evidence from each side, and will decide whether or not to take the requested action.

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What is an order to show cause?

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