Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) Act 120 Practice Exam

What document must be signed off by the DA or court before conducting a search?

1. Search Warrant

2. Arrest Warrant

3. Surrender Document

4. Order of Protection

The correct answer is: Search Warrant

A search warrant is a legal document that authorizes law enforcement officers to conduct a search of a specific location and seize items related to a crime. Prior to executing a search warrant, it must be signed off by a District Attorney (DA) or a court, ensuring that there is probable cause for the search. This process serves as a check against unreasonable searches, as it requires law enforcement to demonstrate to an impartial entity that they have sufficient evidence to justify the intrusion. The other choices addressed do not fulfill the same legal requirement for conducting a search. An arrest warrant is related to the apprehension of a suspect rather than searching property. A surrender document typically pertains to a person voluntarily relinquishing custody or rights, while an order of protection is designed to protect individuals from harassment or harm, not for search purposes. Thus, the only appropriate document for authorizing a search is the search warrant.