What is a warrant?

What is a warrant?

• A. A court order releasing a prisoner
• B. Written order commanding arrest signed by magistrate
• C. An informal note to apprehend a suspect
• D. A statement of probable cause

Answer: (B)

A warrant is a court-issued, written order that authorizes a law enforcement action, typically an arrest or a search, and it must be signed by a judge or magistrate based on probable cause. It specifies who is to be arrested or what premises or items may be searched and describes the scope of the authority. This distinguishes it from a release order, which frees someone; an informal note, which lacks formal authority; and a statement of probable cause, which explains why there is probable cause but does not itself authorize action.

A warrant is a court-issued, written order that authorizes a law enforcement action, typically an arrest or a search, and it must be signed by a judge or magistrate based on probable cause. It specifies who is to be arrested or what premises or items may be searched and describes the scope of the authority. This distinguishes it from a release order, which frees someone; an informal note, which lacks formal authority; and a statement of probable cause, which explains why there is probable cause but does not itself authorize action.