A warrant is a type of authorization that permits an otherwise illegal act. It is a writ issued by a competent officer, usually a judge or magistrate, that allows a specific action to be taken. There are different types of warrants, including:
- Possessory warrant: A civil writ issued by a judge ordering property searched for, then delivered to a named person.
- Search warrant: A writ issued by a judge allowing law enforcement to look inside a property.
- Warrant of committal: Issued by a judge ordering enforcement of a previous order against an uncooperative person or corporation.
- Warrant of delivery: A civil writ issued by a judge ordering property delivered to a named person.
- Derivative warrant: A type of security that gives the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a security at a certain price before expiration.
In the past, the English government used a "general warrant" to enforce its laws, which were broad in nature and did not have specifics as to why they were issued or what the arrest was being made for. Nowadays, warrants are issued for specific reasons and must be approved by a judge or magistrate.
