Which statement about search warrants is true?

Which statement about search warrants is true?

• A. Only district court judges may issue search warrants.
• B. Clerks may issue search warrants.
• C. Municipal judges, acting as magistrates, may issue search warrants.
• D. Judges are never involved in issuing warrants.

Answer: (C)

Search warrants are issued by a magistrate—the official authorized to determine probable cause and approve the warrant. This includes municipal judges when they are acting in the magistrate role. So a municipal judge can issue a search warrant if they’re exercising that authority. Clerks do not issue warrants on their own; they handle processing and paperwork under a magistrate’s order. The idea that only district judges may issue warrants isn’t accurate, and it’s also false to say judges are never involved—because when a municipal judge is acting as a magistrate, they do issue warrants.

Search warrants are issued by a magistrate—the official authorized to determine probable cause and approve the warrant. This includes municipal judges when they are acting in the magistrate role. So a municipal judge can issue a search warrant if they’re exercising that authority. Clerks do not issue warrants on their own; they handle processing and paperwork under a magistrate’s order. The idea that only district judges may issue warrants isn’t accurate, and it’s also false to say judges are never involved—because when a municipal judge is acting as a magistrate, they do issue warrants.