Legal Definitions - Show cause order

A show cause order is a directive issued by a court requiring a specific party to appear before it and provide a legal reason or explanation ("show cause") why a particular action should *not* be taken, a specific request should *not* be granted, or why they should *not* be penalized for certain behavior. Essentially, it places the burden on the recipient to justify their position or actions to the court, or to explain why a proposed outcome should not occur.

Here are a few examples to illustrate how a show cause order works:

• Child Support Enforcement: Imagine a situation where a parent has consistently failed to pay court-ordered child support for several months. The other parent, who is owed the support, files a motion with the court asking for enforcement of the order. The judge might then issue a show cause order to the non-paying parent. This order would compel them to appear in court and explain why they have not paid the child support and why they should not be found in contempt of court, which could lead to penalties like fines, wage garnishment, or even jail time. The burden is on the non-paying parent to "show cause" for their non-compliance.

• Property Demolition: Consider a city government that has deemed an abandoned, dilapidated building unsafe and a public hazard. Despite numerous notices, the property owner has failed to make necessary repairs or demolish the structure. To move forward with demolition, the city's legal department might obtain a show cause order from a court. This order would direct the building owner to appear and explain why the building should *not* be demolished by the city, or why they haven't complied with safety regulations, and why the city should *not* be granted permission to proceed with the demolition at the owner's expense.

• Professional License Suspension: Suppose a state medical board receives credible complaints that a doctor has been practicing medicine negligently, potentially endangering patients. After an initial investigation, the board believes there's sufficient evidence to suspend the doctor's license temporarily. Before taking such a drastic step, the board (or a court at the board's request) might issue a show cause order to the doctor. This order would require the doctor to appear at a hearing and explain why their medical license should *not* be suspended, presenting evidence or arguments to counter the allegations of negligence.