Must the warrant state the offense for which the person is being charged?

• A. No
• B. Only for misdemeanors
• C. Sometimes
• D. Yes

Answer: (D)

Warrants for arrest should specify the offense being charged because that ties the arrest directly to a particular crime and provides a clear basis for the officer’s actions. The offense description on the warrant matters for due process: it shows the exact charge, which helps ensure the arrest is grounded in probable cause for that specific crime and that the arrestee is informed of what they’re accused of. This specificity also helps reviewing authorities verify that the request for arrest fits the charged offense and limits the arrest to the authorized charge.

So, the warrant must state the offense. It isn’t just for misdemeanors; felonies and other charges require the same detailing. Saying it’s required “sometimes” would misstate standard procedure, as the practice is to include the offense on the warrant.