Glossary

Injunction

A court order that requires someone to do something, or to stop doing something. Unlike money damages, injunctions are forward-looking remedies: used when money alone won't fix the problem.

Injunctions come in different flavors:

Temporary restraining orders (TROs): short-term emergency orders, often issued without the other side present
Preliminary injunctions: issued early in the case to maintain the status quo until trial
Permanent injunctions: issued as part of the final judgment

To get an injunction, the plaintiff typically has to show that money damages aren't adequate, that they'll suffer irreparable harm without the injunction, and that the balance of equities favors them.

Violating an injunction is contempt of court: punishable by fines or jail.