Warrants

A warrant is a writ or court order issued by a competent authority, usually a magistrate, judge, Supreme Court Justice, or government official to empower a law enforcement officer to search a location, arrest an individual, and/or seize property. In addition, a warrant may authorize a person to pay a sum of money, authorize a tax collector to collect taxes or to sell goods or land in default of payment, or permit a person to receive money out of the municipal treasury. A warrant affords the executing officer legal protection against civil liability for carrying out the [Page 1116]action. A search, seizure, or arrest committed without a valid warrant is generally considered a violation of the rights afforded under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. ...