What are examples of warrants used in policing?

• A. Arrest warrants and search warrants issued by a judge or magistrate, with no other forms recognized.
• B. Warrants are not required for non-consensual searches.
• C. Only telephonic warrants are used in some jurisdictions.
• D. Arrest warrants and search warrants, issued by a judge or magistrate, and telephonic or electronic warrants in some jurisdictions.

Answer: (D)

Warrants in policing come in a few practical forms that reflect how courts authorize law enforcement actions. The standard, widely recognized types are arrest warrants and search warrants, issued by a judge or magistrate after establishing probable cause. These warrants authorize police to arrest a named person or to search a specific place for evidence.

In addition to these traditional warrants, many jurisdictions allow telephonic or electronic warrants to speed up action in urgent situations. These are still court orders, obtained through phone or electronic communication and later formalized in writing, ensuring there’s judicial oversight even when time is tight.

That blend—arrest warrants and search warrants, plus telephonic or electronic warrants in some places—captures the full range of how warrants are used in policing. The other statements are too narrow or incorrect because warrants are commonly used in the standard form, but there are also telephonic/electronic options; warrants are generally required for non-consensual searches unless an exception applies; and restricting to only telephonic warrants ignores the traditional, still-important warrants.