What is the legal term for a court order requiring a person to do or refrain from doing something?

An injunction is a legal term that refers to a court order that directs a person to perform a specific act or refrain from doing something. This order is often issued to prevent harm or to maintain the status quo while a legal matter is resolved. Injunctions can be temporary or permanent and are an essential tool in both civil and some criminal cases to address situations where monetary damages alone would not be sufficient to resolve the issues at hand.

For example, if a person is causing ongoing harm to another party, such as through noise or pollution, a court might issue an injunction to compel them to stop these actions. The enforcement of an injunction is crucial because it legally binds the individual to comply, providing a means of relief for the affected party.

The other choices represent different legal concepts:

• A warrant is an authorization for law enforcement to take a specific action, often related to searches or arrests.

• A subpoena is a document that orders an individual to appear in court or produce documents for a legal proceeding.

• A summons is a legal document that notifies a person that they are being sued and requires their response. These terms serve distinct purposes within the legal system but do not encompass the specific function of a court order requiring action or inaction