What is an important function of an arrest warrant?

An arrest warrant serves a critical role in the legal system by providing law enforcement with the authority to detain an individual suspected of committing a crime. This document is a judicial order issued by a judge or magistrate based on probable cause, allowing police to enforce the law and apprehend the individual named in the warrant. The necessity of an arrest warrant helps to ensure that a person's rights are upheld, as it provides a legal basis for the arrest and helps to maintain the balance between public safety and individual freedoms.

The other options do not accurately describe the function of an arrest warrant. For instance, while initiating a trial and evidence collection are significant aspects of the legal process, these actions are separate from the purpose of an arrest warrant, which focuses specifically on authorizing the detention of a suspected individual. Witness immunity is also unrelated to arrest warrants; it involves legal protections for witnesses rather than the apprehension of suspects.