What defines a protective order in the court system?

A protective order is primarily established to safeguard sensitive information or to prevent certain details from becoming publicly accessible. When the court issues a protective order, it may limit public access to specific court records or evidence that, if disclosed, could harm a party's interests, potentially endangering personal privacy or trade secrets. This ensures a balance between the legal principle of transparency in the justice system and the necessity to protect confidential or sensitive information.

The other options do not capture the essence of what a protective order is designed to achieve. A judge's ruling on case proceedings pertains generally to various judicial decisions throughout the trial. A requirement to return evidence at trial relates to the evidence handling process, which is different from the scope and purpose of a protective order. Guidelines for closing arguments fall within the procedural framework of presenting a case but do not address the confidentiality concerns that a protective order is meant to protect.