What is the difference between an arrest warrant and a search warrant?

What is the difference between an arrest warrant and a search warrant?

• A. An arrest warrant authorizes detaining a person; a search warrant authorizes searching for specific items at a location.
• B. An arrest warrant is used for seizing property; a search warrant is for arresting suspects.
• C. Both warrants authorize detaining a person.
• D. A search warrant authorizes detaining a person only if there is probable cause.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that these warrants serve different purposes and have different scopes. An arrest warrant is issued when there’s probable cause to believe a specific person committed a crime, and it authorizes officers to take that person into custody. A search warrant is issued when there’s probable cause to believe evidence of a crime is at a particular location, and it authorizes officers to search that place for specified items and seize them if found. The arrest warrant targets a person and custody; the search warrant targets property and location. While officers may detain people they encounter during a search for safety or identification, the warrant itself does not authorize detaining someone. Conversely, a search warrant does not authorize arrest of a person by itself.

The key idea is that these warrants serve different purposes and have different scopes. An arrest warrant is issued when there’s probable cause to believe a specific person committed a crime, and it authorizes officers to take that person into custody. A search warrant is issued when there’s probable cause to believe evidence of a crime is at a particular location, and it authorizes officers to search that place for specified items and seize them if found. The arrest warrant targets a person and custody; the search warrant targets property and location. While officers may detain people they encounter during a search for safety or identification, the warrant itself does not authorize detaining someone. Conversely, a search warrant does not authorize arrest of a person by itself.