What is the function of an arrest warrant?

The function of an arrest warrant is to authorize law enforcement officials to arrest a specific individual based on a determination of probable cause. This means that a judge or magistrate has reviewed the evidence presented by law enforcement and found sufficient grounds to believe that the person named in the warrant has committed a crime. The warrant serves as a legal and formal instrument, ensuring that the arrest is conducted within the framework of the law, thus safeguarding the rights of individuals and maintaining an accountable law enforcement system.

In contrast, a search warrant is specifically for searching a location, not for making an arrest. A public notification regarding a crime often takes the form of press releases or alerts but does not carry the legal weight of an arrest warrant. Additionally, an arrest warrant does not guarantee a conviction; rather, it simply permits law enforcement to take an individual into custody for further legal processing where guilt or innocence would ultimately be determined in a court of law.