Warrant (legal)

A warrant is a written legal document, issued by a judicial officer, directing a police officer to perform a specific action and affording said officer protection from damages if the act is performed. Warrants are typically issued by courts but can also be issued by Congress and other political entities. Typical warrants include: search warrants, arrest warrants, execution warrants.

A typical arrest warrant will take the approximate form of: "This Court orders the Sheriff to find the named person, wherever he may be found, and deliver said person to the custody of the Court."

See also: Writ