What is a "search warrant"?

A search warrant is a legal document that grants law enforcement officers the authority to conduct a search for evidence in a specific location. This document is typically issued by a judge or magistrate and is based on probable cause, meaning there must be reasonable grounds to believe that evidence of a crime will be found in the location specified in the warrant. The warrant details exactly what can be searched and what kinds of items can be seized, ensuring that the search is conducted lawfully and to protect the rights of individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures, as guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The other options do not accurately describe a search warrant. For example, while arrest warrants give police the authority to arrest individuals, they do not permit searches. A permission note from a public official is not the same as a warrant, as it lacks the legal backing and specificity of a search warrant. A notification regarding police activities in an area generally does not confer any legal authority or specify evidence or locations like a search warrant does.