Ohio Surety Bail Agent Practice Exam

What is a warrant?

1. A temporary arrangement made in court

2. A written order to arrest someone

3. An obligation to appear in court

4. A type of misdemeanor crime

The correct answer is: A written order to arrest someone

A warrant is defined as a written order issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement to arrest an individual or conduct a search of premises. This legal document is necessary to protect individuals' rights, ensuring that there is probable cause for the law enforcement action. In the context of criminal justice, a warrant is crucial because it initiates the process of law enforcement intervention, based on evidence or suspicion that a person has committed a crime. The other choices do not accurately encapsulate the definition of a warrant. A temporary arrangement made in court typically refers to agreements or orders that do not have the same authoritative power as a warrant. An obligation to appear in court relates to summonses rather than warrants, and a type of misdemeanor crime is unrelated, as it describes a classification of offenses rather than a legal document used in the arrest process.