What does an arrest warrant allow law enforcement to do?

An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement officers to detain a specific individual. It is based on probable cause that the individual has committed a crime, thus permitting the police to bypass the usual requirements of obtaining consent or a search warrant when arresting that person. The warrant must specify the individual to be arrested and often includes details about the alleged offense.

In contrast, summoning witnesses, conducting search and seizure operations, and imposing fines are governed by different legal processes and requirements, which do not specifically pertain to the function of an arrest warrant. For instance, summoning witnesses typically relies on subpoena powers, while search and seizure require search warrants or exceptions to the warrant requirement. Each of these actions has its own legal framework distinct from that of an arrest warrant, which is solely focused on authorizing the arrest of an individual.