Which statement correctly identifies the purposes of arrest warrants and search warrants?

• A. Arrest warrants authorize detention of a person; search warrants authorize searching property.
• B. Arrest warrants authorize searching property; search warrants authorize detaining a person.
• C. Both allow detaining anyone connected to a crime.
• D. Both require consent of the suspect.

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is understanding how arrest warrants and search warrants differ in purpose. An arrest warrant is a court order that directs law enforcement to take a named person into custody. It is about detaining a specific individual who is believed to have committed a crime, not about searching property.

A search warrant, by contrast, is a court order that authorizes officers to enter a particular location and search for specific items or evidence related to a crime. It targets a place and the objects found there, rather than detaining a person.

So the correct statement reflects that distinction: arrest warrants authorize detention of a person, while search warrants authorize searching property. Consent is not required in either case because warrants are based on probable cause and judicial authorization, though there are exceptions in certain circumstances.