A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) is a type of short-term injunction issued by a judge before trial that forces or prevents an action for a specified time frame. TROs are used in various situations, such as to prevent the sharing of a business secret or an unfair competition practice, until a court hearing on a preliminary injunction can be held. TROs are also used in family law cases, such as divorce or custody cases, to make decisions about children and property while a case is waiting to be resolved.

To obtain a TRO, a party must convince the judge that they will suffer immediate irreparable injury unless the order is issued. If the judge is convinced that a TRO is necessary, they may issue the order immediately, without informing the other parties and without holding a hearing. TROs are intended to be stop-gap measures and only last until the court holds a hearing on whether or not to grant a preliminary injunction.

The procedure for getting a TRO depends on the circumstances and the law in your state. TROs are civil injunctions that are usually given without notice only if immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will happen. Specific TRO procedures can differ in all counties and in different courts, so it is important to check online the rules of each specific jurisdiction.

In summary, a TRO is a legal document issued by a judge before trial that forces or prevents an action for a specified time frame. It is a short-term injunction used in various situations, such as to prevent the sharing of a business secret or an unfair competition practice, until a court hearing on a preliminary injunction can be held. TROs are also used in family law cases, such as divorce or custody cases, to make decisions about children and property while a case is waiting to be resolved.