An arrest warrant is a legal document, issued by a court, that authorizes law enforcement to arrest and detain a person. Essentially, an arrest warrant gives police officers the right to take a suspect into custody.
The issuing court is responsible for making sure a reasonable amount of evidence is present before issuing a warrant. For the arrest warrant to be valid, it must:
- Be signed by a judge, magistrate, or other court official
- Include the name of the person against whom it’s issued
- Outline reasons for the warrant
- Specify the crime or crimes of which the person is suspected.
What Happens After an Arrest Warrant is Issued?
Once a arrest warrant is issued, law enforcement is authorized to locate and arrest the suspect. In some cases, the suspect may surrender to the police. If that doesn’t happen, the police may attempt to locate the suspect through surveillance or other investigative techniques.
Examples of Arrest Warrants
Recent arrest warrants have been issued for a variety of crimes, ranging from murder to tax evasion. In the news, one high profile example of a recent arrest warrant was issued for celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti. In this case, Avenatti was accused of embezzlement and extortion.
Conclusion
An arrest warrant is a type of legal document that gives law enforcement the authorization to take a suspect into custody. It may be issued when a court finds a reasonable amount of evidence linking the suspect to a crime. Once issued, the police are authorized to locate and take the suspect into custody.