<P> When an agency of an official body is the target of the writ of prohibition, the writ is directed to the official body over which the court has direct jurisdiction, ordering the official body to cause the agency to desist . </P> <P> Although the rest of this article speaks to judicial processes, a writ of prohibition may be directed by any court of record (i.e., higher than a misdemeanor court) toward any official body, whether a court or a county, city or town government, that is within the court's jurisdiction . </P> <P> A "writ of prohibition", in the United States, is an official legal document drafted and issued by a supreme court, superior court or an appeals court to a judge presiding over a suit in an inferior court . The writ of prohibition mandates the inferior court to cease any action over the case because it may not fall within that inferior court's jurisdiction . The document is also issued at times when it is deemed that an inferior court is acting outside the normal rules and procedures in the examination of a case . In another instance, the document is issued at times when an inferior court is deemed headed towards defeating a legal right . </P> <P> In criminal proceedings, a defendant who has been committed for trial may petition to the superior court for a writ of prohibition, in this case on the ground that his conduct, even if proven, does not constitute the offense charged . </P>

The writ of prohibition is issued by the supreme court or a high court against