What does a search warrant allow police to do?

A search warrant specifically authorizes law enforcement officers to conduct a search of a specified location without the need for consent from the person in control of that premises. This legal document is issued by a judge or magistrate based on probable cause, meaning there must be sufficient evidence to believe that a crime has been committed and that evidence of that crime can be found in the place to be searched.

This power granted by a search warrant is crucial as it protects the rights of individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures as outlined in the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The requirement of a warrant serves to ensure that an impartial judge evaluates the evidence before allowing the police to intrude on an individual's private space.

Consequently, while detaining a suspect for questioning, executing a traffic stop, or placing a suspect under arrest are all actions that police may take under certain circumstances, they do not specifically relate to the authority granted by a search warrant. Each of those actions falls under different legal justifications and does not inherently require a search warrant in the same manner that conducting a search of premises does.