North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

What is an anticipatory search warrant?

1. A warrant issued post-event

2. A warrant issued under emergency conditions

3. A warrant issued before the necessary facts or events occur

4. A warrant that can be issued by any officer

The correct answer is: A warrant issued before the necessary facts or events occur

An anticipatory search warrant is defined as a warrant that is issued before the necessary facts or events occur, based on probable cause that evidence of a crime will be found at a specific location in the future. This type of warrant anticipates that evidence will become available as a result of a certain event happening, such as a delivery of illegal goods, which makes it a proactive legal tool. For example, if law enforcement has information indicating that a shipment of illegal drugs is expected to arrive at a specific address within a certain timeframe, an anticipatory search warrant can be obtained to authorize a search at that location once the shipment arrives. This preemptive action helps law enforcement act effectively, ensuring that evidence is not lost or destroyed once it becomes available. The other choices do not accurately describe an anticipatory search warrant. For instance, a warrant issued post-event pertains to searches that can only happen after a crime has occurred, and warrants issued under emergency conditions refer to situations requiring immediate action without the normal processes, which do not align with the anticipatory nature of such warrants. Additionally, the issuance of a search warrant typically requires judicial oversight and is not simply reliant on any officer's discretion.