What is the purpose of an arrest warrant?

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An arrest warrant serves a specific legal purpose by granting law enforcement the authority to arrest an individual who has been charged with a crime. This official document is issued by a magistrate or judge and is based on a determination of probable cause, meaning there is sufficient reason to believe that the person named in the warrant has committed a criminal offense. By providing this authorization, the arrest warrant ensures that law enforcement can take appropriate and lawful action to apprehend the suspect while maintaining legal protections against unlawful arrest.

The other options represent different legal processes or objectives. Informing the public about a criminal investigation is not the role of an arrest warrant; public awareness can occur through other means. Similarly, an arrest warrant does not grant bail—that function is typically performed by a judge during a subsequent court appearance. Finally, initiating a civil law proceeding falls outside the realm of criminal procedures, focusing instead on non-criminal disputes between individuals or parties. Therefore, the primary and correct function of an arrest warrant is to authorize the arrest of a person charged with a crime.

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