What is the purpose of a cease-and-desist order?

A cease-and-desist order is a legal directive issued by an administrative agency or a court that requires an individual or organization to stop engaging in prohibited conduct. The primary purpose of such an order is to provide a mechanism for the immediate discontinuation of unlawful activities that may harm the public interest or violate legal regulations.

For example, if a company is found to be engaging in deceptive advertising practices, a cease-and-desist order can swiftly halt those practices, preventing further harm to consumers or the marketplace. It is fundamentally preventative, aiming to stop ongoing misconduct rather than impose penalties or further legal actions.

While the other choices relate to different aspects of enforcement or consequences for unlawful behavior, they do not encapsulate the essence of what a cease-and-desist order is designed to achieve. The order itself does not imply a permanent ban, and while it may lead to fines or criminal charges in the future for ongoing violations, its immediate purpose is to compel compliance and halt the misconduct.