Criminal Law
Introduction
How The Criminal Process Begins
Differences From The Civil Courts
Searches And Seizures
Patriot Act
Searches
Airline Searches
Seizures
Warrants
Search Warrants
Arrest Warrants
Bench Warrant
Grand Juries
Indictment
Arrest, Interrogation and Bail
Plea Bargains
Defenses and Exceptions
Evidence
Trial
Specific Offenses
Sentencing
Parole
Retaining a Criminal Defense Attorney
Your Criminal Case
Warrants
Warrants are issued from court authorized law enforcement agents, such as police officers, to arrest individuals and to conduct searches. Warrants are required because the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees that a citizen cannot be illegally searched and seized. By requiring a warrant, courts are protecting those Fourth Amendment rights. The courts apply a warrant requirement in certain situations because each citizen has "an expectation of privacy." It is important to understand that the Fourth Amendment protects people, not places.